From spring 2026, Horsham and Chichester District Councils will be introducing a new weekly food waste collection service for households.
New government legislation being bought in for March 2026 requires all councils in England to collect food waste.
Horsham District estimates that on average, more than 40% of rubbish is food waste so, by separating this from general waste, more recycling can take place.
Examples of the types of food you will be able to put into the food waste container includes cooked and uncooked foods, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and solid fats. It is important that only compostable liners (such as the ones initially supplied) are used in the bins and all other packaging is removed from food before placing in the caddy or bin.
Each household will receive a kitchen caddy, a roll of caddy liners to get you started, an outside bin, and instructions on how to use the new service. You won’t need to be at home to receive the containers, they will be delivered outside your property or outside your door if you live in a flat.
Your food waste collection day may be different to your recycling and waste collection day, so do check your start date before you begin to use your bin (details at the end of this article).
When it is recycled, food waste can be turned into something useful. Your food waste will be recycled at an anaerobic digestion facility where it will be used to generate natural forms of energy, such as biogas – an excellent alternative to fossil fuels, and bio fertilisers which can be used in farming.
There are other benefits too to this new service:
- your household waste bin will be cleaner and less full if you recycle your food waste.
- this additional recycling service gives you the opportunity to recycle more of your waste.
- your collection will be easy and convenient.
Links
www.horsham.gov.uk/waste-recycling-and-bins/household-bin-collections
www.horsham.gov.uk/mobileapp
www.chichester.gov.uk/food-waste
www.chichester.gov.uk/chichesterdcapp
www.chichester.gov.uk/checkyourbinday