Frequently Asked Questions for Food Waste and Cardboard Collections

I have received this leaflet about the new food waste and cardboard collections. What does it mean?

The leaflet explains about the new food waste and cardboard collections. It explains that once you have received your new kitchen caddy, you can start putting your food waste into it, before transferring the contents to your green bin. Corrugated cardboard can also be put into the green bin.

The leaflet also explains that a blue sack now replaces your green sack for paper. Cardboard packaging e.g. cereal boxes, ready meal sleeves can now also be put into the sack with paper.

Line your existing small kitchen caddy with a compostable liner.

Only use compostable bags which carry the European Bioplastics logo. Never use plastics bags as these do not compost and your green bin will be rejected.

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If I have extra large cardboard boxes can I leave these by the side of the green waste bin for collection?

No. These will have to be ripped up and put into the garden waste bin or taken to one of the cardboard banks at the Neighbourhood Recycling Centres or Household Waste Recycling Centres.

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I already fill my two green bins with garden waste. Where should I put my food waste and cardboard?

We are unable to offer any more green bins because the collection vehicles will become overloaded. Food waste should have priority in the green bins because there is no facility for this to be taken at the HWRCs. Large amounts of garden waste and corrugated cardboard can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

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I have lost my kitchen caddy, can I have a new one?

Caddies that have been lost will not be replaced. Residents can purchase a new kitchen caddy from most supermarkets or DIY stores.

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My kitchen caddy has broken or been damaged, can I have a new one?

Yes. Any damaged or broken caddies can be replaced free of charge. Please leave the damaged one out for collection and it will be exchanged with a new one.

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Can I put cardboard such as food packaging and cereal boxes into the green bin?

No. These must be put into your new blue sack or taken to a one of the cardboard banks at the Neighbourhood Recycling Centres or Household Waste Recycling Centres.

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When will my food waste be collected?

The food waste is collected in the green bin, so just check your collection calendar for your green bin collection week. Your collection day remains the same.

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I don’t think I will have room for the new kitchen caddy?

The caddy is only 5 litres with a carry handle. It is designed to sit on a kitchen worktop or under the sink for ease of access and it takes up very little room.

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I already compost all my food waste using a compost bin?

Then please continue to do this. This is a really environmentally friendly way of dealing with your raw food waste and peelings. However, the new green bin collections allow for other food items that would not normally be home composted such as cooked food and meat to be collected and composted in an in-vessel composting unit.

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What food waste can I put in my caddy and green bin?

Any unwanted uneaten food waste which might include food past its use by date, mouldy food, leftovers from meals, non-edible food such as fish bones, fruit and vegetable peelings. Please see the detailed list below:

YES NO
Fruit & veg - raw & cooked Plastic bags
Meat & fish - raw & cooked Glass
Bones & egg shells Cans
Rice, pasta, cereal & noodles Paper
Bread, cakes, pastries & biscuits Plastic bottles
Tea bags & coffee grounds Pet litter
Cheese, eggs & yoghurts Cooking oil
Beans, nuts, pulses & seeds Foil
Uneaten food from your plate Glossy cardboard packaging
Brown corrugated cardboard  Plastic Packaging

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What do I do with packaged food items e.g. yoghurt in a pot?

No food packaging can go into the green bin, so the yoghurt would have to be removed from the pot and put into the caddy before being transferred to the green bin.

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How can I avoid attracting pests and rodents?

Wash your kitchen caddy with mild detergent as required. You can try putting a handful of cat litter, salt, garden lime or powdered ginger in the caddy and green bin. Try and clean out your fridge a day or two before your collection day, instead of the day after and store meat scraps in the freezer until collection day, if space permits.

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Will the green bin and caddy smell?

Due to the contents of the caddy and bin there might be a slight odour. However, the material going into both receptacles is the same material that once went into your rubbish bin. You can also reduce odours by washing your caddy out regularly and keeping the green bin out of direct sunlight. A handful of cat litter at the base of the bin is said to reduce odours too.

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How do I avoid attracting flies to my bin and reduce getting maggots?

Do not leave any food waste uncovered, especially in warm weather as it will attract flies that can then lay eggs on the food before it goes in the bin. Put food waste straight into the kitchen caddy or the green bin and keep the bin lid closed at all times. Some people find it helps to layer the food waste with their grass cuttings, ensuring food is not loose on the top. Keep the green bin out of direct sun. In addition, some essential oils, such as citronella and tea tree oil are natural insect repellents. Try smearing your bin lid with one of these oils if flies are a problem.

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I have got maggots in my bin, how do I get rid of them?

Most of the maggots will be removed once the bin is emptied. But any remaining maggots and fly eggs can be killed by carefully pouring boiling water into the bin once it has been emptied. Using a mild detergent with a fragrance will also help to keep flies away from your bin.

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Will a bin cleaning service be provided by the Council?

No. But bin cleaning companies can be found in the local phone directory.

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I haven’t got a green bin, how do I get a new one?

Please call the Pride in Your Streets contact centre on 01978 298989 or email contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk to order a new green bin. £10 charge. 

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I only have a small garden but would still like to participate in the food waste collections. Do you have a smaller green bin?

Yes. We have some 140l green bins which are more suitable for smaller gardens. Please call the Pride in Your Streets contact centre on 01978 298989 or email contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk to order a new bin.

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What happens to the contents of the green bin once it has been collected?

It is taken to the In-vessel Composting Unit on Wrexham Industrial Estate where it is turned into a soil conditioner which will eventually be available via the Household Waste Recycling Centres for residents to collect. Some of the compost will also be used for landscaping projects and landfill restoration.

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Can I put dog mess and cat litter in the green bin?

No. This must still go into your residual rubbish bin, ideally in a tied up carrier bag.

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What is an in-vessel composting unit?

The in-vessel composting process allows for food waste (including meat) to be composted alongside garden waste and corrugated cardboard. The process occurs in a sealed tunnel compared to the technique previously used called open windrow composting which occurred outside.

The IVC process begins with the material being shredded and screened for contamination. As the waste is enclosed the composting process can be speeded up by pumping air into the waste, by either increasing or decreasing the water content of the waste and by increasing or decreasing the temperature within the tunnel or vessel.

The amount of air or water that needs to be added to the waste during the composting process depends on the composition of the green waste going in to it. For example, if the waste load has a high content of food then less water will be needed during the process because the food itself will have a lot of water contained inside it. All IVC plants are regulated by the State Veterinary Service this is because they fall under a regulation called the Animal By-Products Regulations. This regulation is in place because the IVC process enables the composting of meat and fish.

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Now that we are composting more waste – will there be more Compost Giveaway events?

Compost Giveaway events are generally run during National Compost Awareness Week in May. Currently there aren’t any plans to hold extra events. However, a limited amount of compost will eventually be provided free of charge back to residents via the Household Waste Recycling Centres. It may take up to 2 years for the compost to be up to standard and therefore made available.

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