NEW interventions to increase food recycling at the kerbside will be shortly introduced across the county.

Around 26% of food waste in Essex currently ends up in the general rubbish bin before going to landfill. From July, eligible households will receive a sticker for their general rubbish bin. They will also receive a roll of caddy liners and a leaflet about food recycling.

These interventions have helped other authorities increase food recycling by up to 20%. They are being rolled out in Essex in three phases, starting next month. The first phase will target eligible households in Braintree, Colchester and Epping Forest.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to increase the amount of food waste recycled at the kerbside. Food doesn’t harmlessly break down when it goes to landfill. It releases methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

“Disposing of food waste in landfill is also very costly. In fact, it’s costing Essex taxpayers £9 million a year to dispose of. By recycling food waste, we can save money and invest it in other essential services.

“Recycling food waste also has the added benefit of generating energy and fertiliser which can be used in farming across Essex.”

Essex County Council is working in partnership with local authorities across the county on the project.

For more information about recycling food waste, visit www.loveessex.org/food-recycling.