UK council hails successful food waste trial
Swindon, UK is considering extending its food waste collection service after a successful trial.
The local council trialled the service at 11,000 households and is looking at rolling out the service to 97,000 households permanently. The food waste collected is processed at an anaerobic digestion facility in Wiltshire, where it is converted into energy to power homes.
The rollout proposal is part of the council’s wider ambitions to boost recycling and reduce waste across Swindon. It’s estimated that the introduction of food waste collection in Swindon could help to increase the town’s current recycling rate of 40% by 4%. The increase will contribute towards meeting the UK Government’s target of 60% recycling by 2030.
Since the trial began in September 2019, around 735 tonnes of food waste have been collected. Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Maintenance, and Waste Services, said: “I am thrilled that the food waste trial has been a resounding success.
“We have received really positive feedback from residents who have said it has been a welcome addition to our standard waste and recycling service.
“We are continually exploring ways we can become more sustainable and meet the government’s ambitious recycling targets. I look forward to working with my cabinet colleagues to improve our waste and recycling services for our residents.”
The local council trialled the service at 11,000 households and is looking at rolling out the service to 97,000 households permanently. The food waste collected is processed at an anaerobic digestion facility in Wiltshire, where it is converted into energy to power homes.
The rollout proposal is part of the council’s wider ambitions to boost recycling and reduce waste across Swindon. It’s estimated that the introduction of food waste collection in Swindon could help to increase the town’s current recycling rate of 40% by 4%. The increase will contribute towards meeting the UK Government’s target of 60% recycling by 2030.
Since the trial began in September 2019, around 735 tonnes of food waste have been collected. Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Maintenance, and Waste Services, said: “I am thrilled that the food waste trial has been a resounding success.
“We have received really positive feedback from residents who have said it has been a welcome addition to our standard waste and recycling service.
“We are continually exploring ways we can become more sustainable and meet the government’s ambitious recycling targets. I look forward to working with my cabinet colleagues to improve our waste and recycling services for our residents.”
