Archived press release

Friends of the Earth calls for weekly food waste collections

16 July 2007

Local authorities should introduce weekly food waste collections as part of a strategy to cut waste, increase recycling and tackle climate change, Friends of the Earth said today. The move would also help to counter concerns about fortnightly rubbish collections, which have been expressed today by a committee of MPs.

The environmental campaign group also urged ministers to take steps to tackle all waste - not just household waste - by announcing a date after which it would be illegal to landfill or incinerate material that could be re-used, recycled or composted.

Friends of the Earth's Waste campaigner, Dr Michael Warhurst said:

"Councils should introduce weekly food waste collections. As well as cutting waste, increasing recycling and tackling climate change, this would also help counter criticisms of fortnightly waste collections, which largely centre round kitchen waste. Food waste can either be composted or used to produce 100 per cent renewable energy by anaerobic digestion. Collections, either weekly or fortnightly, can then be used to collect the non-recyclable waste that remains.

"The Government must do more to cut all waste - not just household waste. This should include announcing a date after which it would be illegal for companies to bury or burn anything that can be reused, recycled or composted."

Friends of the Earth says

Recycling and composting are an important part of the fight against dangerous climate change, and will help us use the earth's scarce resources more efficiently.

Councils should offer effective and easy-to-use recycling schemes, and introduce weekly collection of food waste. Food waste makes up just under 20% of household waste, and, if collected separately, can be either composted or used to produce 100% renewable energy through `anaerobic digestion'.

With effective recycling, and weekly collection of food waste, the amount of waste left as `residual' will be much reduced, and the removal of the food waste will get rid of most of what breaks down. We support those councils which decide to collect such waste fortnightly, as long as they do so through effective consultation with, and education of, local residents.

MPs should also ask the Government to do more about other wastes, not just households waste. We are asking the government to announce a date after which it would be illegal for companies to bury or burn anything that can be reused, recycled or composted. We believe that this measure would lead to a massive increase in recycling and composting of waste.

Friends of the Earth supports calls for increased incentives to get people to recycle more.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust