From 6 April 2026 we will be introducing a new weekly food waste recycling collection to all homes in Poole and flats in Bournemouth. We will be delivering:

• a kitchen caddy
• an outside food recycling bin
• instructions on how to use your new containers

Food waste recycling collections will soon be extended to all households in Bournemouth and Poole that do not currently have food waste collection. This means all Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will have weekly a food waste collection.

Why we are introducing a new food waste collection

We want to recycle more and waste less. These changes mean that everyone will have a consistent food waste recycling services so no matter whether you live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole the rules will be the same and recycling will be simpler.

Recycling our waste is not only more environmentally friendly but also less expensive than simply disposing of it in the rubbish bin; this allows us to save money and use it in other vital services.

How to start using our new food waste recycling collection service

If you live in a house, you should receive:

• a container for outside your property
• a food caddy for your kitchen
• compostable liners
• an instruction leaflet

If you live in a flat you will receive:

• a shared bin for outside the property
• a food caddy for your kitchen
• compostable liners
• an instruction leaflet

What to do if you do not receive your container or caddy

If you do not receive your container and caddy by 20 March you can:

• report a missing bin if you live in a house
• report a missing communal bin if you live in a flat with shared bins

If you do not receive your instruction leaflet or caddy liners you can contact us online.

Instruction leaflet

Your instruction leaflet will be delivered in a bag made from potato starch; you can put it in your food waste caddy on this occasion.

Compostable caddy liners

We provide one roll of liners to get you started. After that compostable liners can be purchased online or from most supermarkets or hardware stores. However you do not need to use a liner as you could use newspaper or put your food waste directly into the container.

What to do if you haven't been offered a food waste service

We have been visiting flats in Bournemouth and Poole to see if there is space for an extra bin and check we can collect from the property.

Some flat blocks did not fit the criteria and so we cannot offer them a bin.

If we haven't offered you a food waste service and you think there is room in your block of flats you can contact us online.