Food recycling myths busted by Somerset residents

We’ve been encouraging everyone to recycle their food waste because it’s better for the environment and cheaper for us to process. Thank you to everyone who has shared their food recycling tips with us. Using your help and the tips shared, we wanted to bust some common food recycling myths!

Your experiences show that it can quickly become an easy part of the weekly routine, while helping to keep the main rubbish bin cleaner and less full.

Myth: it is too much hassle

“It’s not a stress. It’s simple to do and just goes out with recycling,” says Lisa from Ilton. Jackie from Chard agrees: “It’s a habit I’ve got into and it’s easy to do.”

Myth: it will make bins smell worse

Residents say separating food waste can have the opposite effect. Michelle from Taunton says: “It saves my bin being smelly, helps the planet and is no extra effort for me.” An anonymous resident added: “At first, I couldn’t stand it, but I can really see how it makes the bin less smelly and it’s easy.”

Myth: only fruit and vegetable peelings count

Cooked food and leftover pet food can also be recycled. Belinda from Ilchester says: “I have never put cat food in my caddy, didn’t realise that was okay. Thanks for the advice, definitely will be doing that.” Elaine from Taunton was also pleased to learn that cooked food could be included: “Great!”

Myth: food waste has no further use

Collected food waste is a useful resource. Laura from Yeovil sums it up: “Food waste isn’t just rubbish - it can be turned into energy and fertiliser instead of creating pollution.” As Pam from Chard puts it: “Love that my waste can be useful.”

From tea bags and peelings to plate scrapings and leftover pet food, putting food waste in the caddy is a small change that can make a useful difference.