Food waste recycling

Brown Cherwell food recycling bins

Food waste recycling

We provide food waste recycling services for businesses like restaurants, catering companies, shops and schools. 

Collections are flexible and can be weekly or fortnightly.


Bin sizes and price per lift 

Bin size Height Width Depth Holds Price per lift
01/04/2025 to 31/03/2026
Price per lift  
01/04/2026 to 31/03/2027
140 Litre 1054 mm 560 mm 560 mm 2-3 Biodegradable sacks £5.50 £5.75
23 Litre caddy 400 mm 320 mm 320 mm 3-4 full caddy liners (5 litres in size) of food waste £1.50 £2.00

Order your food and waste recycling bins

Order your bin


Managing your food waste collections

Waste should be contained within your bin so the lid shuts flat. We are unable to empty bins that are overflowing or surrounded by excess waste.

We know, on occasions you may have excess waste that won't fit into the bin. Please contact us if you need to arrange additional collections.

Please note that you will be charged for all additional collections.

If you have any queries about excess waste please email businesswaste@cherwell-dc.gov.uk for advice.

What can go in your food waste recycling?

All of these materials can be included in your food waste recycling: 

  •     Meat and bones
  •     Fruit and vegetables  
  •     Dairy
  •     Eggs and eggshells
  •     Tea and coffee grounds
  •     Bread and pastries
  •     Fish

What don’t we accept?

We cannot accept food waste recycling containers that include:  

  •     Black sacks
  •     Plastic bin bags or liners
  •     Plastic packaging
  •     Cooking oil

How we recycle your food waste

We use process called Anaerobic Digestion (AD).

This process uses microorganisms to break down the food waste. This process also uses an enclosed system, where there is an absence of oxygen to aid in breaking down the food waste. The result is methane coming off which is collected and converted into biogas. Biogas is used to generate electricity or heat. The AD process also creates a nutrient-rich material which is used as a fertilizer for land regeneration.