Defra claims “widespread” support for food waste schemes

Defra has revealed some of the key findings of major new research on food waste recycling, claiming it shows “widespread support” among the public for separate food waste collections.

But, it has suggested collecting food waste with existing green waste schemes can be expensive.

Minister Joan Ruddock revealed that the research, which is to be published in full later in the Spring, showed nearly two thirds of households regularly use a food waste collection scheme when it is provided on a weekly basis with residual waste collected each fortnight.

The weekly food waste and fortnightly residual waste system provided the highest amount of food waste collected from households, Defra said.

The study carried out by consultants Brook Lyndhurst on Defra's behalf, included a 4,431 household survey in six local authority areas offering different food waste collection systems – Bexley, Cambridge, Fenland, Hackney, Taunton and Weymouth.

It found that only one in 10 homes did not see the point of recycling their food waste.

It also suggested that dedicated food-only collection systems capture more food waste than schemes combined with garden waste collections.

“Advances”

Commenting on the findings of the project, Mrs Ruddock said: “This research shows that much more can be done cost effectively to prevent food wastage and to recover value from what is thrown away. Food waste recycling was targeted by our Waste Strategy, and current studies show how local authorities can make real advances.”

The minister said food waste recycling “has an important role to play” in the UK meeting its European targets to divert municipal waste from landfill.

She added: “The most important lesson to learn is that householders do want to play their part. Government needs to provide support and guidance, and current research is helping to inform the debate.”

The full report – entitled “Enhancing participation in kitchen waste collection schemes – household behaviour and motivations” – suggests there are complex factors involved in making a food waste collection scheme successful.

These include taking account of householder ages and socio-demographic profiles.

Commenting on the food waste report, the Local Government Association said councils are keen to expand into food waste collections, but said Defra shouldn't expect more services like food waste schemes without providing necessary funding.

Cllr Paul Bettison, who chairs the LGA's Environment Board, said: “Recycling food waste is not something that can be done on the cheap. Specialist equipment is required to collect and dispose of it, and this can be very expensive. The Government has just hit the council taxpayer with a