How the organic waste scheme works
Your organic waste will be collected each fortnight. You can find the dates of your collections online on My Place.
Your brown bin or green garden waste bags should be placed so they are clearly visible and accessible at the front boundary of your property by 6am on the day of collection.
Brown bins and green garden waste bags containing items that can’t be recycled will not be collected. If your organic waste is mixed with materials that can’t be composted, like plastic bags, the waste will not be collected.
After it is collected, your organic waste is transported to an ‘in-vessel’ composting facility in Edmonton. The material is processed in an enclosed container under controlled conditions to make compost. This compost is used in Waltham Forest's parks, open spaces and allotments.
Why recycle organic waste?
Organic waste that is sent to landfill can’t decompose properly because it is squashed under other waste and doesn’t have access to air. This means organic waste in landfill produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming. So recycling your organic waste not only helps Waltham Forest’s green spaces, it helps to reduce global warming too.
What can I recycle in my organic waste (brown) bin?
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Plants
- Branches up to 4in (10cm) in diameter
- Food scraps
- Meat, poultry and fish (cooked or uncooked but no bones)
- Fruit and vegetables (cooked or uncooked)
- Tea bags
- Egg shells
- Takeaway leftovers
- Bread
- Cheese
- Any food, but no bones
What can I recycle in green garden waste bags?
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Plants
- Branches up to 4in (10cm) in diameter
Please note we cannot take food waste.
What if the brown bin is too heavy or I can't close the lid?
Please do not put heavy materials in your brown bin as our collection vehicle cannot lift it. Soil and stones are not collected by the organic waste collection scheme. The lid of the brown bin must be closed so that it will fit onto the lifting mechanism of the collection vehicle.
How do I use the kitchen caddy?
All kitchen waste except for meat bones can be put in your kitchen caddy. The contents of the kitchen caddy should be emptied into the brown bin for collection.
Can I use a bio-degradable bag in my brown wheelie bin?
You can use compostable or bio-degradable bags in your brown wheelie bin but they must be clearly marked with the code BS en13432 or a seedling logo. These can be bought from most supermarkets.
Can I include soil in my brown bin?
Unfortunately it is not possible to recycle soil as it may be contaminated with chemicals or other materials.
However, you can still take soil to the household waste recycling centre in South Access Road, Walthamstow. As this site takes all waste as well as recycling. If you will be using a van to take items to the centre you need to book the van in 24hours in advance by calling 020 8509 3664.
Can I place kitchen waste in my green garden waste bags?
No. Only garden waste can be placed in the green garden waste bags.
What do I do if I have excess organic waste that does not fit in the brown bin or green garden waste bags?
Any excess garden waste should be left in open black bags next to your brown bin in your front garden and will be collected on the next collection run. Or you can take garden waste (but not food waste) to one of Waltham Forest's three household waste recycling centres. You can also compost at home.
What do I do if my brown bin or green garden waste bags are not emptied?
Please call Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000.
Who cleans my brown bin or green garden waste bags?
It is your responsibility to keep the brown bins or green garden waste bags clean.
I don't have a garden but can I still recycle food waste?
If you live in a street property but do not have a garden, you can still recycle your food waste in a brown bin. If you live in a house that has been converted into flats, you might want to arrange for all the flats in the building to share a single brown bin for everyone's organic waste. In this case, you can request separate kitchen caddies by contacting Waltham Forest Direct on wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk or 020 8496 3000.
If you have further questions, contact Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000 or email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
