From spring 2026, food waste recycling will be introduced for flats with communal bins across the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This new service means residents in flats will be able to recycle food waste weekly
If you live in a flat and your food waste is not already collected separately, you will receive:
- a small kitchen food waste caddy for your kitchen
- a large communal food waste bin for your building
If your food waste is already collected separately, nothing will change.
Why we are introducing this service
We are expanding food waste recycling to flats to comply with the National Simpler Recycling regulations.
These rules require councils to provide food waste recycling to all properties, including flats.
How we will roll out this service
This service will start with a trial of a few blocks.
These trials help us:
- test bin locations
- understand how residents use the service
- make improvements before expanding across the borough
If your block is included in a trial, we will write to you directly. You do not need to apply or sign up.
Once the trial ends, there will be a phased approach in the rollout of the service, and it could take a few months before your block receives your bin.
What will happen before collections begin
Before food waste collections start at your block, we will:
- install a communal food waste bin near your building
- deliver a small kitchen food waste caddy and information leaflet to each household
- begin weekly food waste collections
Installation is quick, and you do not need to be at home.
What you can put in your food waste caddy
You can recycle:
- meat, fish and bones
- fruit and vegetable peelings
- bread, rice and pasta
- dairy products
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- leftovers and plate scrapings
Do not put packaging, plastic bags or food wrappers in your food waste bin.
Download the leaflet to check what you can put in your food waste bin.