Make the most of your food waste

As part of government’s new ‘Simpler Recycling’ regime, every household in England must receive a food collection service by 2026. Most households in Swale already receive this service, and we are working hard to ensure the remaining few are added to food collection rounds.

Between us all, we need to make improvements for the environment by using our food waste bins properly. Currently we are recycling 40% and need to do better. By separating food waste in your kitchen and placing it in a free caddy, you are significantly reducing the amount going in your refuse bin, this allows food waste to be treated and reused.

What happens to my food waste?

The food waste is collected weekly and delivered to a local anaerobic digestion plant. It goes through a chain of complex biological processes resulting in the production of biomethane gas that is able to power the plant and can be fed to the National Grid to generate power to homes. The remaining material (digestate) which is rich in nutrients, produces an organic fertiliser which is used on local farms.

This is how you could benefit from feeding your caddy -

• Your food waste bin reduces the amount of waste going into your green bin as the food bin is collected every week
• The weekly food waste collection means no smelly food sitting in your green bin
• Keeps your green bin cleaner
• The food waste bin is smaller and easier to keep clean
• It’s better for the environment
• It's better value for money

You can check out what happens to your food waste on Kent County Council's website.

Have you got yours yet?

You can order your free food waste bin and kitchen caddy online.