Households across Tendring will soon be getting extra support in a bid to boost food recycling in the district.

Suitable homes will receive a sticker on their black bin reminding them to recycle food waste, along with a roll of food caddy liner bags and an information leaflet.

The leaflet includes top tips on recycling food – which, instead of going to landfill, is recycled to generate energy and fertiliser for use in farming in Essex.

The initiative, led by Essex County Council in partnership with local authorities including Tendring District Council (TDC), is being rolled out in three phases across the county in a bid to reduce the 25% of food waste which currently ends up in general bins.

Previous interventions elsewhere have increased food recycling by 25%.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “Food doesn’t harmlessly breakdown when it goes to landfill. It actually releases methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, costing Essex taxpayers £9million a year to dispose of.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for us to increase the amount of food waste being recycled at the kerbside and reduce the amount of food ending up in landfill. By recycling food waste, you will be helping to save money that could be spent on other essential services.”

Last year Tendring recycled more than 4,300 tonnes of food – equivalent to 360 double-decker buses.

Councillor Mike Bush, TDC Cabinet Member for Environment, added: “By recycling more of our food waste we are helping the environment, and it is so easy to do with our kerbside collections.

“So, if you don’t yet recycle food waste then what are you waiting for? Or, if you already do separate your food waste, check out the leaflet to see if there’s even more you could be recycling.”

For more information about the project and how to recycle your food waste, visit www.loveessex.org/food-recycling

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