Braintree District Council is working in partnership with Love Essex and other local authorities across Essex, including Essex County Council, to increase the amount of food waste being recycled at the kerbside.
With around 26% of food waste in Essex ending up in the general rubbish bin, this project presents an opportunity to encourage people to recycle more.
This month, households that receive Braintree District Council’s wheeled bin collection service, will receive a reminder sticker on their grey bin, one-off roll of caddy liners and an information leaflet about food waste recycling through their door. If residents’ bins have not been presented or cannot easily be found, the sticker will be popped through the letterbox as well.
The project is being rolled out across Essex in three phases, with the first phase planned to target suitable households in the Braintree District, along with Colchester City Council and Epping Forest District Council.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Transformation, the Environment and Customer Services at Braintree District Council, said: “When food goes to landfill it releases methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
“However, when food waste is recycled, it generates energy and fertiliser which can be used in farming across Essex, so we are keen for residents to make the most of our weekly food waste collection service.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to reduce the amount of food ending up in landfill. Disposing of food waste in landfill is very costly. In fact, it’s costing Essex taxpayers £9 million a year to dispose of. By reducing and/or recycling food waste, you will be helping to save money that could be spent on other essential services, as well as helping our environment and tackling climate change.”
