Council Launch New Campaign to Stop Food Waste

Some of the many materials that can be recycled

In Northern Ireland 80% of people recycle their food waste. While these figures appear positive, it has been argued there is still room for improvement.

Latest estimates show that a third (30%) of our average rubbish bins are still made up of food, most of which could have been eaten (23%).

A household of four in the district could save £80 per month or £1,000 a year just by using all the food they buy.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “Failing to recycle right not only has a damaging impact on the environment but there is a real cost impact to the Council and in turn, ratepayers.

"Items placed in the wrong bin contaminate that bin. They have to go through a removal process and may have to be transported to landfill. So please take care when sorting your weekly household waste.

"Everything you can do as a resident to recycle right really helps.”

Food waste in the district is collected together with your garden waste in the same outdoor bin. From there, it gets broken down and processed into compost and soil conditioner.

The Council takes your waste to a transfer station from your kerbside. All compostable material is bulked up and sent in larger lorries to an in-vessel composting facility to produce compost and soil conditioner.

Craig Stephens, Senior Campaign Manager, Recycle Now, says: “The importance of this campaign is getting as many people as possible within Newry, Mourne and Down to first use the food they buy and then utilise their food caddy and stop putting food waste in the general rubbish bin.

"The resources that go into producing our food - the water; the transportation and the energy to chill foods from farm to factory and into our kitchens are also wasted when we throw food away.

"We need to raise awareness of the cost to households and the environment of needlessly putting food in the rubbish bin. By using all the food we buy and recycling the inedible parts, you can save money and create compost for garden use.”