The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced funding aimed at strengthening the management of food waste across the UK. This funding initiative will include the provision of new food waste containers for households and specialised collection vehicles. It particularly targets local authorities that have not yet fully implemented food waste services.
The UK generates an alarming 10 million tonnes of food waste annually, much of which ends up in landfill. Defra emphasises that separate food waste collections from every household are imperative to prevent contamination of recyclable materials. Moreover, such segregation ensures that food waste can be redirected to anaerobic digestion facilities instead of landfill.
By channelling food waste to these facilities, Defra anticipates a significant reduction in the carbon footprint associated with waste disposal. This shift is expected to generate sustainable energy to power both residential and commercial properties, consequently mitigating the over 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions linked to food waste disposal.
Recycling Minister Robbie Moore stresses the importance of implementing weekly food waste collections as a cornerstone of a more streamlined and efficient recycling system nationwide. Such collections not only divert food waste from landfill but also align with the overarching objectives of waste reduction and climate change mitigation. The government’s commitment to supporting local councils with new funding underscores its dedication to increased recycling rates and environmental sustainability.