A simple guide will be provided with the caddy

From February 2026, weekly food waste collections will roll out in phases across Southampton, giving every household a simple way to recycle more and waste less.

Southampton City Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling collections for all households from February 2026, making it easier for residents to recycle more and reduce waste.

Every household will receive a kitchen caddy for collecting food scraps and an outdoor food waste bin for weekly collection.

A simple “what goes in / what stays out” guide will be provided with the caddy, and further information will be available online.

Introducing food waste recycling will help to:

• Cut the amount of rubbish going into green-lidded general waste bins and recycle more.
• Keep streets cleaner and bins fresher.
• Turn unavoidable food waste into renewable energy and a nutrient-rich fertiliser, supporting a greener city.

What happens to food waste?

All collected food waste will be processed through anaerobic digestion, a natural treatment process where bacteria break down food waste in the absence of oxygen.

This produces biogas, which is used to generate renewable electricity and heat, and a nutrient-rich material that can be used as fertiliser on farmland. It’s a clean, efficient way to make the most of what we can’t eat and helps reduce carbon emissions compared with disposal.

This rollout forms part of the Council’s City Plan 2035, supporting the vision for a healthier, safer and greener city.

By recycling food waste, residents will directly contribute to the city’s climate commitments, reduce the impact of waste on the environment, and create a more sustainable future for Southampton.

Councillor John Savage, Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, said: “This is a big step forward for Southampton. Weekly food waste collections will make a real difference, helping residents keep their general waste bins cleaner and lighter while turning leftovers into something useful. It’s a practical change that supports our climate ambitions, delivers on our City Plan 2035 vision of a greener, healthier Southampton, and keeps our city looking its best. Thank you to everyone who will get involved and help make this a success from day one.”

How it will work

Weekly collections: Food waste will be collected every week, on the same day as residents' usual general waste or recycling collection (which continue to alternate each week).

What residents will receive: A kitchen caddy, an outdoor food waste bin, one roll of caddy liners and a clear instruction leaflet.

What goes in: All food and plate scrapings; fruit and veg (including peelings); meat and fish (cooked or raw, including bones); dairy; bread, rice, pasta and beans; tea bags and coffee grounds.

What stays out: Any packaging (plastic, foil, cardboard), liquids and oils, garden waste, pet waste and nappies.
To help everyone get ready, Southampton City Council will send a “food waste is coming soon” leaflet to households in November or early December. This will include simple guidance and a link to online frequently asked questions.

Residents do not need to do anything now. Further details about delivery of caddies and outdoor bins will be shared before the service starts. For any problems or queries, please contact https://www.southampton.gov.uk/