Focus on food waste recycling
You may think you’re a recycler but you threw away the equivalent of 740 carrots over a year.
We first collected food waste for recycling in 2004 and in the last 20 years our food waste recycling participation rate has been among the highest in England.
However, in Somerset, research shows that a large amount of waste is still thrown in the bin. In fact, last year about 37,500 tonnes of food waste was thrown out but only 21,500 tonnes of this was recycled via the brown food bins, the rest was put in general rubbish bins instead.
Many of us think we’re recyclers, but we know there is often something that’s missed when it comes to recycling our food waste. It could be something small like the odd banana peel, or packaged food that’s gone out of date.
Most people in Somerset recycle, but it’s easy to slip into bad habits and we’re using this opportunity to remind everyone that recycling food waste is easy, convenient and great way to look after our environment.
No amount is too small! Recycling just 6 tea bags can produce enough power to boil a kettle for another cup of tea.
Statistics show that in Somerset a staggering 45% of the food in the rubbish bin has been discarded in its packaging.
Not only is recycling food waste better for the environment, but it’s also considerably cheaper for the council to recycle food waste instead of throwing it in the bin.
All of Somerset’s food waste is recycled via Anaerobic Digestion (AD) here in Somerset. The AD process produces bio-gas, a type of renewable energy and a nutrient rich fertiliser that can be used for crops.
During next year, Somerset Council alongside its household waste collections contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, will be reminding residents to make the most of their food waste recycling collections.
We’ll be sharing key updates to our food waste recycling webpage:
Join us at a local event
We’ll be visiting libraries across the county to encourage everyone to do the right thing with their food waste. Come along for help to get started, ordering bins, or to find out more about what happens to your recycling. And pick up some fun activities for our younger recyclers.
- Friday 8 August – Shepton Mallet, 10am to 2pm
- Saturday 9 August – Bridgwater, 10am to 2pm
- Wednesday 13 August – Frome, 10am to 2pm
- Friday 15 August – Burnham on Sea, 10am to 2pm
- Tuesday 19 August – Taunton, 10am to 2pm
- Wednesday 20 August – Williton, 10am to 1pm
- Thursday 21 August – Minehead, 10am to 2pm
- Wednesday 27 August – Wellington, 10am to 2pm