THE majority of food waste in Somerset is being recycled – but not by much.
As the county continues the drive to recycle household items, ranging from plastic to packaging, batteries to boxes, Somerset Council has revealed how a whopping 17,000 tonnes of food waste (45%) is still disposed of in the rubbish – not the recycling.
“You may think you’re a recycler, but your rubbish bin is telling a different story,” a spokesperson said. “Somerset households throw away 56kg of food annually, that’s about 740 carrots.
“Every piece of food waste is worth recycling, whether its one carrot or a whole block of cheese.”
And they revealed how last year, a massive 38,000 tonnes of food was binned – with just over half that amount (21,000 tonnes) being disposed of in food waste bins for recycling – meaning 17,000 went to the incinerator to be burned for energy.
“Are you recycling everything you can? Every carrot, crust and cheese block can be used for something useful like clean, green electricity,” the spokesperson added.
So why aren’t more people recycling their food waste? We want to know – so let us know in the comments below – or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/somersetleveller to have your say…
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My food waste goes in compost if it is veg waste. My un compostible goes down the toilet .as otherwise I would have to put a
plastic liner in a food waste bucket . I know they are biodegradable but I have to buy them ! and they have to be made .