News & Media > Environmental Services

02:03:2010

Food recycling in BaNES will reduce waste by 25%

May Gurney has been given the go-ahead for a project to collect food waste from homes in the Bath area, which will be launched in the autumn.

Similar schemes have proved a success around the country and have acted as a wake-up call for families shocked at just how much food they end up throwing away.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has confirmed funding for the project in its budget for the next financial year.

A new fleet of collection vehicles which has been operating since November 2009 can easily be modified to accommodate food.

Simon Porter, May Gurney contract manager, said: "From our experience of delivering similar services in other parts of the UK, we've discovered that when residents actually see how much food they throw away, they generate around 25% less waste, so save on their weekly food bills."

The waste will be put out in lockable containers at the roadside to help tackle problems caused by gulls.

Food waste makes up a third of all household waste and gives off the greenhouse gas methane when it is sent to landfill. Every tonne of food waste diverted from landfill represents a 4.5-tonne saving in carbon emissions.

Council cabinet member for customer services councillor Charles Gerrish said there had been public pressure for the launch of the service. "The investment we are making now will prevent the council paying high landfill taxes in the future. The more that we recycle, the less landfill tax the council pays for disposing what waste is left.

"Food waste collections will increase recycling rates and help tackle the causes and effects of climate change. By providing lockable containers, residents should find the new service cleaner and more hygienic, particularly those who find their black sacks ripped open by seagulls or animals."

Click here to read more about recycling in Bath and North East Somerset.