'Together we can turn food waste into energy for homes'

Residents in Cheltenham may notice stickers on their bins over the next couple of weeks, as the council works hard to increase food waste recycling.

To encourage more people to make use of the food caddies and recycling collection, stickers will be placed on all wheelie bins as a reminder to use the service so food doesn’t end up in landfill.

The scheme is being rolled out across the county by Gloucestershire Joint Waste Committee. Food waste recycling has been encouraged in the county for a number of years and separate collection and recycling is offered to most homes. 

Mealtime leftovers cooked or uncooked, plus food past it’s sell-by-date, tea bags, bones and egg shells, make up the single biggest type of waste by weight, and in Gloucestershire, this is equal to around 30,000 tonnes of food waste every year.

The stickers will be accompanied by useful information including how to order a free food caddy from the council if it’s missing.

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment said: ‘’Food waste can be incredibly damaging to the environment if it is sent to landfill as it produces harmful gases like methane. My message is simple; if we all make the effort, together we can turn food waste into energy for homes.’’

‘’Recycling food waste couldn’t be easier and it’s not just about left overs. Egg shells, tea bags and bones can all go into the caddies.  The exciting news is that the waste now goes to a new local plant for recycling.’’

Food waste collected from Cheltenham – as well as neighbouring authorities - is now being recycled at the pioneering new anaerobic digestion plant in Bishop’s Cleeve near Cheltenham.

The plant provides renewable energy for local homes. It also produces a by-product, organic liquid fertiliser, which is being used by local farmers.

There are lots of useful tips on the Love Food Hate Waste website to help people to save money and food.

Further information is also available at http://www.recycleforgloucestershire.com/  and residents can find out more about their own collections at www.cheltenham.gov.uk/recycling

 

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A photo call can be arranged at the new anaerobic digestion plant, please contact Katie Sandey

For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications team leader, telephone 01242 01242 775050, email [email protected]

Notes for editors

•             The scheme is being rolled out across the county

•             The refuse crews will place the stickers/information at the same time as waste is collected on bin day

•             The joint waste team does not enforce food waste recycling – the aim of this scheme is to encourage residents to use the service

•             The information on the stickers and information hangers/leaflets will be specific to each district

•             We are anticipating an increase in requests for food caddies, and the districts are geared up for this

•             We will measure the amount of extra food waste collected for recycling.  Similar exercises elsewhere in the country have seen an improvement in food waste recycling, typically increasing levels by 20%.