Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Do people dislike having a food waste bin collected separately

226 replies

WillowTit · 02/04/2026 07:54

do you dislike your food waste bin?
my colleagues dont like it
all sorts of complaints
Confused
the bin lorry will smell is one example

OP posts:
LooksLikeImStuckHere · 02/04/2026 07:57

We’ve had them for years. It’s fine. It can be a bit gross I guess but who cares? I think it stops the main bin smelling.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 02/04/2026 07:57

We've had this from our council for years. Really easy service - don't even think about it. Just have to be a bit careful in summer.

GoldMoon · 02/04/2026 07:58

We separate all food waste into our own compost bin ( its a hot composter so suitable ) and have done for years so a council one would be irrelevant for us .

Chemenger · 02/04/2026 07:59

I don’t have any issues with my food bin. We’ve had them for years. I don’t stand around sniffing bin lorries but why would it matter if it smells. Normal bin lorries are not fragrant.

FolioQuarto · 02/04/2026 07:59

We compost virtually all veg peelings etc. We very rarely have food waste as we meal plan carefully. We put citrus peels into the council food waste bin but very little else. It goes out on the same day as the other bins.

It occupies so little of my thoughts to be completely insignificant. Why are other people getting het up?

TeenToTwenties · 02/04/2026 08:00

We've recently had food collections introduced.
I really like it.
It's making me more aware of food waste, and means the general bin needs emptying less often.

anotheranonanon · 02/04/2026 08:00

you have to just accept it. My council lets you use any plastic bag in it but I think all let you use the biodegradable ones. It means more room in the black bin and the black bin isn’t minging anymore.

EBearhug · 02/04/2026 08:01

I don't see the problem with it. I haven't used it myself so far, as I have a compost bin, and it's a long time since I've had a chicken carcass which would go in.

I would assume bin lorries are not the sweetest scented things in any case.

Ghostspritz · 02/04/2026 08:02

We’ve had food waste collected separately for years. No problem with it at all.

LoveofSevenDolls · 02/04/2026 08:04

We have had food collected separately for 12 months. I really like it.

WillowTit · 02/04/2026 08:04

i dont understand their dislike tbh

OP posts:
Nosejobnelly · 02/04/2026 08:05

I do, much prefer it.

TeenToTwenties · 02/04/2026 08:05

Also food is collected weekly, whereas the general waste is fortnightly, so in summer it will be hanging around for much less time.

RedWineCupcakes · 02/04/2026 08:07

We have had this for 5 years now. It doesn't smell any more than the general waste used to. It encourages you to think about meal efficiency to minimise waste. We only have our general waste emptied every 3 weeks now and often only have one half filled bag to put out. Food waste goes weekly so doesn't hang around.

Imdunfer · 02/04/2026 08:08

We throw away so little food it will just be a pain in the arse to have a caddy in the kitchen or have to take it into the garden. Do you get fined if you don't use it?

I was so pleased my council is late with this.

Namechangedasouting987 · 02/04/2026 08:09

People dont like change. And are wierd!.
Our new food waste collection is weekly, as opposed to fortnightly for main bin..so in summer less chance of maggots etc.
Its a big improvement for me.
But a lot if people are lazy and like a moan about anything

InMyOpenOnion · 02/04/2026 08:10

We have had separate food waste for over 15 years, I much prefer it. Food waste is taken weekly, whereas the other are fortnightly. You just have to be careful not to leave meat out in summer before putting it in the food bin, to prevent maggots. But anyway, I'd far rather maggots in the little food bin that's easy to clean, than the big wheelie bin.

It keeps our main bin much cleaner without food waste in it, it's a much better way of handling waste.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 02/04/2026 08:11

Do you use a plastic liner with them? It’s windy where I am so I’ve lost mine a long time ago, will need to keep it indoors

Badoingyface · 02/04/2026 08:13

My only issue is when the foxes break into the food waste bin and spread the contents all over the front garden....and then do a shit in the middle of the mess... 🤮

museumum · 02/04/2026 08:13

This has been the case here as long as I’ve lived here - 20 years!!!
I’m actually shocked it wasn’t done everywhere.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 02/04/2026 08:13

so had them for years. The main issue is the foxes breaking in.

ThatLimeBiscuit · 02/04/2026 08:13

We’ve had them for a while where I live, they’re collected weekly here. I have to say I’ve never bothered with it as it’s just me and I have so little food waste!

TeenToTwenties · 02/04/2026 08:14

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 02/04/2026 08:11

Do you use a plastic liner with them? It’s windy where I am so I’ve lost mine a long time ago, will need to keep it indoors

Not plastic (as that would defeat the object), but biodegradable bags. Ours were initially supplied but you can then buy them in supermarkets.

OvernightBloats · 02/04/2026 08:14

Using a food waste bin is so much better. The kitchen bin doesn't get as smelly so doesn't need to be emptied so often.

I line the food waste bin with some newspaper - this soaks up any condensation/spillage and stops the bin from getting manky. Once it has been emptied, I sometimes give a quick wipe down. This really helps to stop the food bin from becoming stinky and gross.

If you can, keep the food waste bin outside near the kitchen door. It used to be kept inside until there was a fruit fly invasion!

And what is it about your colleagues saying the bin lorry will smell?! All bin lorries smell! Always have done!

FruityFrog · 02/04/2026 08:15

You can buy nice worktop caddies that improve the situation inside.

The only problem I notice is the foxes and cats getting into them and sometimes spreading their contents across the road. Our foxes are a cut above intelligence wise though.