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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

New food bins

239 replies

Toomanyuglyplasticbins · 07/05/2026 14:41

Will you be using the new food caddies & bins? Sick to death of my kitchen & garden resembling the local recycling centre. I do recycle most stuff & have regular trips to the tip; but even then one local authority varies from the next one in their recycling policies, so it all seems a bit.futile

OP posts:
OneTimeThingToday · 07/05/2026 15:26

I live in an area where they arent required due to the way waste is processed (all biological matter is removed during the process). It does feel wierd to be throwing out vegetable peelings etc.

But my parents area has a dreadful fox problem as theyve worked out how to break into the bins and spread the rubbish everywhere.

Bokeitup · 07/05/2026 15:24

I've only just got one. There were maggots in it week one, so I'm not using it again.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 07/05/2026 15:20

I'm another one who has had the caddies longer than I can remember. It would seem really odd to put food waste in with the general waste to me now so don't worry OP you will soon get use to it.

NorthFacingGardener · 07/05/2026 15:20

I’m really enjoying mine. I have a little tub for my garden compost (veg peelings) and a little tub for food waste. I use old ice cream tubs rather than the council provided caddy. I take both of those out every day so they’re not hanging around.

I’m finding we don’t need to empty the kitchen bin as often and it doesn’t start smelling anymore.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 07/05/2026 15:19

As PPs said, they’re not new, had them for years.
I don’t have a kitchen caddy though, just take out whatever peelings etc there are, immediately, to the compost caddy. Hardly onerous. And wash them out throughly, outside, when they’ve been emptied. No bother whatsoever.

Nourishinghandcream · 07/05/2026 15:17

Had the food caddies for years.
I remember my Ddad asking me how we got on with ours as they were about to be issued with them, he has been dead for 10yrs.
They are fine. Small one sits in the cupboard and the larger one outside by the bins. Biodegradable liners supplied by the council.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 07/05/2026 15:15

but even then one local authority varies from the next one in their recycling policies, so it all seems a bit.futile

But you only live in one area so it doesn’t matter what any different area does.

rubyslippers · 07/05/2026 15:11

We’ve had a food waste bin for about 15 years
I use the recyclable liner bags and it’s easy
it gets collected once per week

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:10

What new food caddies?

CanaryLibra · 07/05/2026 14:44

My larger food caddy makes a great dog food storage bin, and the smaller one is really handy for when I’m doing a bit of weeding and dead-heading in the garden.

So yes I’m using them, just not as the council intended.

SomedayIllBeSaturdayNight · 07/05/2026 14:44

Same, had one for at least 15 years, no drama.

DollopOfFun · 07/05/2026 14:43

We've had food caddies round here for years, I think I'd feel weird throwing food scraps in the kitchen bin now tbh.

spicedemerald · 07/05/2026 14:43

We’ve had them for at least 15 years here. I keep the small one under the sink and the larger one outside next to the other bins. Can’t see an issue.

hahabahbag · 07/05/2026 14:42

I’ve had one for 8 years, what the issue? It’s standard in most of the country already