Introduction to the new Food and Garden Recycling Service

A new, weekly doorstep recycling collection of mixed food and garden waste is set to begin. The first collections will start week commencing Monday 7 September 2009.

Every household using the current wheelie bin based refuse collection system will be able to benefit from the new service. This new food and garden recycling service will be collected via a new wheelie bin which will be distributed throughout August.

Your new wheelie bin will take practically all the cooked and uncooked food waste from your kitchen and also the garden waste that currently goes into biodegradable sacks and it will be collected every week.

We will also be providing you with a kitchen caddy for the storage of your food leftovers before you put the waste into your new wheelie bin. Kitchen caddies are neat, small, plastic containers designed to sit on your kitchen worktop. They can be stored in your cupboard and provide a day to day receptacle for your food waste. Then, as and when you choose, you simply transfer your food from the caddy into your new wheelie bin.

Why are we Introducing this Service?

The food we needlessly throw away ends up in landfill sites. It is estimated that as consumers we throw away 1/3 of all the food we buy. This means that one in every three shopping bags we fill at our local supermarket ends up in our refuse.

As the food rots in landfill is emits harmful gases. It is estimated that in the United Kingdom rotting food in landfill sites generates the same CO2 as emitted by every fifth car on UK roads. It’s not just CO2 and methane that’s released when the food goes to landfill that’s the problem, but also the energy spent producing, storing and transporting the food to us. Reducing the impact of this form of pollution is very important.

When we consulted you in the Forester magazine last year, you told us clearly that you preferred food waste to be collected every week via a second wheeled bin rather than the current bio-degradable sacks.

By collecting food waste the council can avoid financial penalties in the coming years for sending biodegradable waste to landfill. The council has also had to evaluate the financial cost of the fortnightly green waste service which has been increasing dramatically due to the cost of the biodegradable sacks.

The new service is available to all properties that currently have a wheelie bin collection for domestic waste. Flats using communal bins will not receive this service straight away. The service will be phased in over a period of time. If you live in a flat and would like more information please contact us on 01992 564608.

Further information can be found at:

• Sita UK Education website

For more information telephone 01992 564608 or email erefuse@eppingforestdc.gov.uk.