West Lindsey food waste collections pass 1,560 tonnes in first six months
Residents across West Lindsey have helped recycle more than 1,560 tonnes of food waste in the first six months of the district’s new weekly collection service helping turn unwanted food into renewable energy and fertiliser.
The service launched in the week commencing March 30, and between April and September a total of 1,562.71 tonnes of food waste was collected. That is roughly the weight of 210 classic London double-decker buses.
Monthly collections ranged from 230.48 tonnes to 314.11 tonnes, with 235.89 tonnes collected in September alone. The figures highlight the collective impact of a simple weekly habit, with residents using their kitchen and outdoor caddies to separate food waste from general rubbish.
Collected food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion plant in Lincolnshire, where it is converted into renewable energy to power homes and fertiliser to support local agriculture. Separating food waste also reduces the amount sent to Lincolnshire's Energy from Waste facility
Coun Peter Morris, said: “Collecting more than 1,560 tonnes of food waste in six months shows what residents can achieve by making a small change to their weekly routine. We would like to thank everyone who has been using their caddies and helping turn food waste into renewable energy and fertiliser here in Lincolnshire."
Coun Morris encouraged residents to continue to use the service saying ‘every caddy counts’.
He added: “Even a few tea bags, vegetable peelings or leftover crusts make a difference when households across the district take part, adding to the district’s total waste collected. Please keep using your caddy each week and help us build on these first six months.”
Coun Owen Bierley was also impressed with the results which he said demonstrated a positive difference resident are making for the environment every week.
He said: "By recycling food waste separately, households are helping to reduce waste, generate renewable energy and ensure valuable resources are put to good use rather than being thrown away.
"I would also like to thank our waste and recycling teams, collection crews and officers who have worked incredibly hard to introduce and manage this new service. Launching a district-wide food waste collection service is a significant undertaking, and it's fantastic to see the positive impact it is already having across West Lindsey."