A major new recycling initiative is set to transform how Staffordshire deals with its waste, as the county council supports the rollout of a new weekly food waste collection service for all households.
The county council is working in partnership with the district and borough councils to ensure that all households can recycle their food waste separately every week.
Under the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, all district and borough councils in Staffordshire will introduce weekly kerbside food waste collections.
This service will allow food waste to be separately processed into renewable energy and also fertiliser for farms and parks.
The campaign also highlights the staggering statistic that 48% of the average Staffordshire general waste bin is currently filled with food.
Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“It is staggering to think that nearly half of what ends up in our general rubbish bins isn’t actually rubbish at all. It’s food. That is a massive wasted resource.
“This new weekly food waste service that we are supporting is about turning Staffordshire’s waste into something useful. By simply separating our food scraps into the new caddies, residents will be helping to generate renewable energy to power our communities and create fertiliser for Staffordshire farmers.
“This isn’t just about being more efficient, but about being smarter with our budget too. Reducing food waste in our general bins could save Staffordshire taxpayers up to £1 million a year in disposal costs. That is money that can be better spent on essential services.”
Residents do not need to sign up for the service. Everything required, including a small kitchen caddy, a larger outdoor caddy, and a starter roll of liners, will be delivered directly to homes ahead of the launch.
Once the service begins, residents can recycle all forms of food waste, including:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Leftovers and plate scrapings
- Rice, beans and pasta
- Meat and fish (including bones)
- Eggs and dairy products
- Bread, cakes and biscuits
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Mouldy or out-of-date food (removed from packaging)
Beyond the benefits to the council, the campaign also highlights the cost to residents. Research shows that the average family of four throws away approximately £1,000 worth of food every year.
The campaign aims not just to encourage recycling, but to help residents waste less food in the first place.
For more information on the rollout and tips on how to use the new service, visit the food waste recycling scheme's webpage.
