Ashford Borough Council is taking action to combat food waste, which continues to be a major source of contamination in both recycling and general waste bins. The council has announced a new initiative to encourage residents to increase their use of the provided food caddies.
The campaign, which builds on a successful pilot program, will provide residents with a helpful guide, a roll of compostable liners, and a sticker for their bins. These stickers will be placed on bins that don’t have a food caddy out on collection day. While food waste recycling has increased by 5% in the past year, nearly half (48%) of all food waste in the borough is still ending up in the wrong place. Food waste is also a leading cause of contamination, which can disrupt the recycling process. The council provides outdoor food caddies and free replacements, and offers a weekly collection service.
“Every chicken bone and banana peel makes a difference,” said Cllr Steve Campkin, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Sustainability. “Even if you compost at home, your food caddy is ideal for items that can’t go in a compost bin. It all adds up.”
He noted that a recent pilot program targeting 10,000 homes saw a 200% increase in new food caddy orders.
Nearly all food waste can be recycled, including:
- Cooked and uncooked meat and fish (including bones)
- Fruits and vegetables
- Leftovers
- Coffee grounds and teabags
- Bread, pastries, and dairy products
- Rice and pasta
The food waste collected in the caddies is processed to create a natural fertilizer for local farms and biogas, which is used to power the recycling plant and contribute to the national grid. The energy generated is enough to power over 3,000 homes annually. Recycling food waste can also help residents save money by encouraging more mindful shopping and reducing unnecessary purchases. The Ashford campaign is part of a larger, county-wide effort to reduce food waste, with Kent County Council and other local authorities running similar initiatives.