Weekly food waste collections have begun in Aldrington, Hangleton, Mile Oak, Portslade and West Hove, marking phase 3 of food waste collections.

The rollout brings the total number of participating households in Brighton and Hove to 73,000.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said: “I’m delighted to see phase 3 of food waste collections starting, giving residents in the west of the city the opportunity to easily recycle food waste which currently makes up more than a third of the waste found in household bins.

“The take-up of the scheme so far has been amazing, exceeding all expectations, and I want to thank residents in the east and north of the city for taking part – together they have helped divert 21 fully-laden refuse trucks from waste to be recycled and re-used as soil improver to grow more food.”

The council began food waste collections in the east of the city in September, followed by a second phase in October.

Collection volumes have steadily increased, reaching 230 tonnes by the end of November—equivalent to 3,833 full wheelie bins.

Councillor Tim Rowkins with kitchen and outdoor caddies. (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

Collected food waste is processed into compost and soil improver.

Councillor Rowkins said: “We’re already preparing for the fourth, final and biggest phase of food waste collections. These will cover the central areas of Brighton and Hove and complete food waste collections for the whole of the city by March 2026.”

Residents can now place all cooked and uncooked food waste in their caddies, including unpackaged bread, pasta, rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and bones, dairy, tea bags and coffee grounds.

Caddies should be lined with provided compostable liners or newspaper – plastic bags are not compostable and should not be used.

Food waste should be placed out for collection by 5am on collection day or the night before.

The council is investing £1.2 million in the weekly service.

The final phase will include 76,000 households in central and communal on-street bin areas including Queen’s Park, Hanover, Kemptown, Whitehawk, Central Brighton, Seven Dials, Roundhill and Central Hove.