Are you recycling every scrap of food waste?
It’s never too late to start recycling.
We’ve been encouraging everyone to recycle their food waste because it’s better for the environment and cheaper for us to process.
We know most people in Somerset do this already, but it’s often easy to overlook some things, like food in its packaging that has gone off, pet food or tea bags.
7 out of 10 households in Somerset do recycle their food waste, but there's always more we can all do.
Here’s what your neighbours are saying - recycling food is easy and every scrap makes a difference.
Can you make it part of your daily routine?
Why recycle your food?
"Because it’s not as bad as it seems! At first I couldn’t stand it but I can really see how it makes the bin less smelly and it’s easy!!" Anonymous.
"I always try to recycle any food waste and any food that goes in my bin isn’t put there by me but if I see any I remove it and put it on my caddy. I wish everyone could try as hard to keep food out of bins." Sharron, Stowell.
"It makes sense - there is so much food waste - and best of all it stops your main bin smelling!" Anonymous.
"Recycling is good for the planet and minimising wasted food is also good for the pocket !" Kevin, Taunton
"I hate food being wasted but at least if we can recycle the waste, it’s better for everyone." Andy, Bridgwater
"It’s easy. Makes me more aware of what food is being wasted. This helps me be more mindful when shopping. Plus, adding food waste to black bin makes it smell." Vicky, Bridgwater.
"I think it is our responsibility to recycle everything that can be. I have been an avid recycler for years. I was so happy when the kerbside recycling expanded into food, plastics and cans etc." Sue, Westonzoyland
"Our mindset is always.. how can we make less mess or waste less stuff!" Anonymous
"I'm not just pledging to up recycling food, I'm pledging not to over buy and plan meals and snacks better. I'm pledging to pass on food close to date if I know I won't be using it. Because it's a better way to live.” Anonymous.
What’s your top food recycling tip?
“I have started either buying frozen veg or preparing and freezing veg when I get home from shopping to avoid waste but I am still really bad forgetting I bought something and then it going out of date.” Anonymous.
"Keep a small food waste caddy in your kitchen and use it every time you prepare food or clear plates. If the caddy is easy to reach, you’re much more likely to put food scraps in it straight away rather than throwing them in the general rubbish. Empty it regularly into your outdoor food waste bin so it stays clean and becomes part of your daily routine. Small habits, such as scraping leftovers into the food waste caddy after every meal, can make food waste recycling automatic within a few weeks." Sarah, Bridgwater.
"Having the small brown bin next to the kettle or near to where I’m peeling veg. Or emptying dirty plates, which in this household is unusual." Ryan, Ilchester.
"Don’t wait until it’s brim full to put it out into the outside bin." Fred, West Pennard.
"I always separate food waste and compostable waste and all the other recycling [and] have compartments for everything in the kitchen. I am proud of how little actual rubbish we produce and sometimes our black bin doesn't need emptying for over 2 months!" Anonymous, Burnham-on-Sea.
"Make sure everyone in the house is involved, and don't leave the kitchen caddy until it is rotting and drippy before emptying." Anonymous.