Green bin and food waste caddies

Compostable vs biodegradable

Use compostable food waste liners in your food caddy. Do not use biodegradable plastic bags from supermarkets as they breakdown into little bits of plastic and are not compostable.

Recycling your garden or food waste is just as important as recycling your paper, card and glass. You can put food waste straight into your green bin or food waste caddy.

You can also put garden waste in your green bin if you have a garden waste permit.

Things that can go in

Food waste

  • fruit or vegetable peelings
  • bread and cakes
  • tea bags and coffee grounds
  • scrapings from your plate
  • eggs and dairy products for example cheese
  • meat including bones
  • fish

Garden waste if you have a permit

  • grass cuttings
  • leaves and twigs
  • branches and twigs small enough to fit in the bin with the lid closed
  • hedge clippings
  • plants

Things that cannot go in

  • branches larger than 10cm or 4 inches in diameter or thicker than your wrist
  • rubble and soil
  • cat litter or dog waste
  • plant pots
  • wood and fencing
  • timber or logs
  • garden furniture
  • stones, gravel, or concrete including DIY waste, such as plasterboard

Soil is not accepted at the composting plant where the garden and food waste is treated. If you have soil to get rid of, take it to your nearest tip or recycling centre.

Compostable food waste liners

You can buy them directly from the supplier online.

Most supermarkets now stock compostable liners. Look out for the EN13432 composting association logo to make sure the liners are suitable to be used in your food waste caddy.

You can also collect a roll of compostable food waste liners for free at any Stockport Library.

If you have something to throw away that's not on this list, visit Recycle for Greater Manchester for more information.