Unleash the power of food!

When food is sent to landfill, it doesn’t just safely breakdown. Instead, it rots among plastic and other waste releasing harmful greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.

When food is recycled at the kerbside, it is given a second life and transformed into energy and fertiliser.

Here you’ll find some interesting facts about food recycling in Essex and what happens to your food waste after we pick it up.

Food recycling

It's not one-size fits all - make food recycling work for you

Sometimes food waste is unavoidable but by recycling your leftover food you not only reduce the environmental impact but create resources such as energy and fertiliser.

Disposing of food in the general rubbish is also costly. In fact, it’s costing Essex taxpayers £9 million a year to dispose of!

Remember, all food can be placed in your food recycling caddy, just make sure to remove any packaging first!

Hand placing a banana skin in a food recycling caddy.

Food recycling caddy powering light bulb.

Tackling food recycling rates near you!

We are on a mission to increase food recycling in Essex.

Find out more about the project and how you can get involved.

What happens to your food recycling?

In Essex, food recycling is collected by your local council's waste and recycling crews and delivered to local processing plants. Anything that is not food, such as caddy liner bags or packaging, is then separated from the load.

The food is then processed and transformed into a biogas and fertiliser. This biogas is used to generate energy. By using this energy, it reduces our need to use fossil fuels.

Watch our video 'What happens to your food recycling?' on YouTube

What happens to your food waste?

The power of recycling your food

Our favourite facts about food waste and food recycling

Man looking at a potato with a confused look.

Food recycling myths

Setting the record straight on food recycling myths

Three men standing next to a wheeled residual waste bin holding caddy liners, information leaflets and bin stickers for the food recycling project.

The food recycling project

How councils across Essex encouraged residents to recycle their food

Your local food recycling service

To find out more information about your food recycling service, please visit your local council’s website.

You will be able to find out:

collection days / times
what can and cannot be put in your food recycling
how to order a replacement food recycling container if yours has been lost or broken

Find your local council