Council says simple action could cut costs and reduce environmental impact

Residents across Somerset are being encouraged to recycle their food waste, as Somerset Council reveals that up to £1 million could be saved annually if all households made full use of the service.

Recent figures show that around 16,000 tonnes of food waste are still being disposed of in general rubbish bins, despite most homes having access to kerbside food waste collections. Instead of being recycled into energy or fertiliser, this food waste is being sent to costly Energy from Waste facilities.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "Currently, too much unwanted food is finding its way into general waste and that costs money to deal with effectively."

The figures have been released as the council joins forces with contractor SUEZ recycling and recovery UK to promote better use of food waste collections.

"Recycling food waste is a much cheaper, and greener, way to dispose of food waste," the spokesperson added. "Their research shows that seven out of 10 households in Somerset regularly put their food waste out for recycling. But 16,000 tonnes a year is still going into the rubbish bin — that's three meals a week per household."

Worryingly, over 7,000 tonnes of food waste was discarded in its packaging.

Cllr Richard Wilkins, executive member for transport and waste services, said: "Recycling food waste is cleaner, greener and more convenient. The average household throws about 56kg of food waste in their general rubbish bin every year. That's the same as one kitchen caddy full every week."

"Small actions can make a difference. Just six recycled teabags can create enough energy to boil the kettle for another cuppa."

Matt Canning, contract director for SUEZ, added: "None of us likes to waste food that we have worked hard to provide for our families; but if we do have to throw it away, we want to encourage a more circular economy where we think of what we throw away as a commodity."

"In Somerset, food waste that's collected at the kerbside is recycled by anaerobic digestion in the county. The anaerobic digestion facility turns food waste into renewable energy and fertiliser."

Residents who need a new or replacement kitchen caddy or food waste bin can request one through the Somerset Council website.