How to Get More Food Waste Bags: Council Rules and Your Options

If you’ve started using a food waste caddy under the UK’s new Simpler Recycling scheme, you might already have hit the same snag as thousands of households: running out of liners. Some councils provide an endless supply of free food waste bags, others only give a starter roll, and a few that don't supply them at all.

So what happens when you’re wondering how to get more green food waste bags? This guide explains the rules, shows some councils that are still offering free refills, and what to do if yours doesn’t.

Why Food Waste Bags Matter in the UK

The rollout of Simpler Recycling means every household in England will have to separate food waste by 2026. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland already run similar schemes.

Using caddy liners isn’t always mandatory, but they make a huge difference:

• They keep kitchen caddies cleaner and odour-free.

• They make it easier to carry waste to your outside bin.

• They help keep collection bins free from contamination.

That’s why most councils either encourage or require the use of compostable food waste bags.

How to Get Food Waste Bags from Your Council

If you’re wondering how to get food waste bags from your council, the answer depends on where you live.

Here’s the usual process:

1. Check your council’s website. Search for “food waste bags” or “caddy liners” on your local authority site.

2. Look for collection points. Many councils let you pick up free bags from libraries, leisure centres, or community hubs.

3. Request online or by phone. Some areas have a form where you can order replacement rolls, often delivered with your next collection.

Examples of councils that provide ongoing free refills include Rochdale, Wigan, Monmouthshire, and Lewes & Eastbourne. In these areas, you can request replacements as often as needed, sometimes by simply tying a tag or old liner to your bin. For most households however, it's more typical to receive a starter roll or several month initial supply, after which you'll need to source your own replacements.

Councils That Only Provide Starter Packs (or None at All)

Not every council is so generous. In many areas, you’ll only receive a starter roll of liners when your food waste caddy is first delivered. After that, it’s up to you to buy more.

For example:

• Waltham Forest provides a roll with your caddy and a top-up six months later, but you’ll need to purchase after that.

• Wandsworth gives you a starter roll and asks residents to collect more from libraries or council offices.

• Trafford issues one roll per year and allows requests for more, but not unlimited.

• Peterborough supplies free rolls but caps the number per household (typically four per year).

The key takeaway is that policies vary widely. Some councils continue supplying liners for free, while others expect residents to buy their own once the starter pack runs out.

What to Do If Your Council Doesn’t Provide More Bags

If your council doesn’t supply enough (or any) liners, you still have options:

• Buy certified compostable liners. These are guaranteed to meet EN 13432 standards and will break down in industrial composting.

• Choose the right size. At Biofuture we have options to fit both food waste caddies - 6L liners for indoor kitchen caddies and 30L liners for outdoor kerbside caddies.

• Keep it affordable. Our liners start at around 9p per bag, making them a cost-effective replacement once council freebies run out.

This way, you stay compliant with council rules, avoid mess in your bins, and support a genuinely sustainable solution.

FAQs About Food Waste Bags

How do I get more food waste bags near me?

Start with your council website. Some council sites allow online requests, others direct you to local collection points. If free refills aren't available in your area, you'll need to purchase certified compostable bin liners (only liners bearing the seedling logo will be accepted for waste collections).

Are food waste bags free in the UK?

Not always. Some councils provide them indefinitely, others only a starter roll, and some expect residents to purchase their own certified compostable caddy liners.

Do I need to use caddy liners?

Technically, you can put food waste straight into the caddy. But given that you’re dealing with food waste, you’ll likely encounter issues with unpleasant smells and bacterial growth inside your caddy, especially in warm kitchens. Compostable liners help to keep the container cleaner, reduce contact with bacteria, and make disposal safer for you and easier for collection crews.

Where to Buy Compostable Food Waste Bags

If your council doesn’t provide bags or you’ve used up your annual allowance, don’t worry. Our certified compostable liners are designed to fit standard UK food waste caddies and outdoor bins:

✔ EN 13432 certified compostable

✔ Plastic-free and genuinely eco-friendly

✔ Affordable, from ~9p per bag

✔ Available in 6L & 30L sizes to fit both caddies

✔ Free 1-2 day delivery with no minimum order

Order directly with Biofuture to keep your food waste clean, simple, and sustainable.

Buy Food Waste Liners Now