Binman warns ‘maggots for days’ when item is put in bins

The No1 Binman, who has more than 200,000 followers and nearly four million likes on TikTok, regularly shares tips from his work collecting household waste. In one video, he explained where pet food leftovers should go and what households should do before putting them out for collection. He said leftover dog or cat food can generally go into a food waste bin where a council provides that service, but stressed that the packaging is a different matter. Pet food pouches, for example, should not simply be placed in a food waste caddy with the scraps inside.

This simple step could make a difference

The binman advised people to put the pet food waste into a suitable liner or wrap it according to their council’s rules before putting it into the food waste bin. He said this could help prevent the food from creating strong smells and attracting flies.

“Make sure you put in a bag before you put it in because that will stink otherwise and you’ll get maggots for days,” he said. He also advised people to put their food waste out every week rather than allowing it to sit around between collections.

However, households should check exactly what their own council accepts before following the advice. GOV.UK guidance says food waste must be collected weekly in England, but councils can set requirements around the type of liner used, and there is no universal requirement for households to use liners.

Liverpool City Council, for example, specifically lists pet food among the items that can go into its food waste caddy. It says packaging of any kind and household waste must stay out, while residents are provided with liners for the service.

Other councils also accept pet food, but their liner rules differ. Kingston Council says pet food can go in its food waste caddy and that tying liners tightly can help deter pests, while Croydon Council says residents using liners must use approved compostable material.

The important distinction is therefore between the food and whatever it came packaged in. Removing the pouch, tray or other packaging before disposal can prevent contamination, while using an approved liner can make handling the waste cleaner where the local authority permits it.