Food recycling intervention to be rolled out across three Essex districts this autumn
This October, 130,000 more Essex households will receive a free roll of caddy liners and a leaflet about recycling food waste. The aim is to help people in Brentwood, Castle Point and Colchester, to increase their food recycling rates.
Food waste makes up around one quarter of general rubbish collected in Essex. This is despite well-established food waste collection services being available to most residents.
This food is sent to landfill. Landfill is the least environmentally friendly and most expensive waste management option. For this reason, the council is keen to increase the use of food caddies among Essex residents.
Last year, the council rolled out a similar intervention to increase the amount of food waste recycled in nine areas. The project achieved great results within the first three months. The areas saw an average increase of 21% of food recycled compared to the previous year.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “This is a much-needed intervention that will have great benefits for our county. Disposing of food waste in landfill costs Essex taxpayers £9 million a year. By recycling your food waste, you would help save money that could be used for other essential services.
“When food waste is recycled, it is transformed into green energy that can power Essex homes. It also creates fertiliser for farms.
“This is an exciting opportunity to increase food recycling at the kerbside. I cannot wait to see the results.”
Cllr Michael Fuller, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Castle Point Borough Council, said:
“The Council welcomes this initiative in partnership with Essex County Council, to increase food recycling rates.
“This is an important intervention that will help ensure Castle Point residents maximise their food recycling rates and simultaneously reduce general rubbish waste that is send to landfill.
“We would encourage all Castle Point residents to get involved. If a household needs a food waste caddy, these can be collected from the Council Offices at Kiln Road or by contacting us at info@castlepoint.gov.uk or 01268 882200.”
This is a tried and tested method that has already been rolled out in nine areas in Essex. These areas are:
- Basildon
- Braintree
- Colchester
- Epping Forest
- Harlow
- Maldon
- Rochford
- Tendring
- Uttlesford
Find out more about how to recycle your food waste.