Successful food recycling scheme extended in High Peak

A successful food waste recycling scheme in the High Peak has been doubled in size by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with High Peak Borough Council. 

The scheme involves giving free compostable food bags to households in a bid to encourage them to separate all their cooked and raw food waste from their general waste and place it in their green lidded bin .

It was trialled in 7,000 households in Glossop last year and was very successful. It resulted in more than three tonnes of food waste per week being put to good use and turned into compost used as a soil improver instead of being sent to landfill or a waste treatment facility.

The trial will be continued for a further twelve months in Glossop and it is now being extended to include 7,000 households in Buxton as well.

The compostable corn starch bags are being delivered to the 14,000 households during October. They provide a convenient way to get rid of unwanted food scraps and leftovers. Once the bags are full people can pop them into their green lidded bin ready for recycling.

Each year in Derbyshire, residents throw more than 57,000 tonnes of food waste in their non-recycling bins costing Derbyshire council tax-payers more than £7.5m per year in disposal costs.

Councillor Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: "It's really encouraging that this scheme has worked so well in Glossop and we're able to extend it to Buxton.

"We're always looking for ways to make recycling and composting easier for residents and this is a good example.

"Separating food waste for composting is good news for the environment and will help reduce the £7.5m cost per year to Derbyshire council tax-payers in waste disposal fees".

Residents can put tea bags, coffee grounds and fruit and vegetable peelings into their compostable food bags as they cook, and when they've eaten simply scrape any unwanted scraps and leftovers in there too.

For tips and tricks on how to reduce food waste visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/50ways There are also two quick quizzes to test residents' knowledge on food waste.

Emily Thrane, Executive Councillor for Operational Services at High Peak Borough Council, said: "Recycling food waste saves everyone money so it's good news that this scheme is going to continue in Glossop and be expanded to Buxton".

"I'd like to say a big thanks to all those who have increased their food recycling so far. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this scheme extended across our borough."