Over 80,000 households are set to be included in Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s pioneering food waste recycling scheme after receiving a new fleet of vehicles to assist with the work.
A third of all waste that is collected in black bags and sent to landfill is food waste that could be recycled, helping to save the environment and ensure the Council meets strict targets set for it when it comes to waste management.
The authority has joined forces with Dennis Eagle and used Welsh Assembly Government funding to invest £3.3m in a new fleet of 21 recycling vehicles that, once again, underlines its commitment to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
The fleet includes 15, 26-tonne duo kitchen waste recycling vehicles and six 18-tonne narrow-bodied vehicles. They will be in service in November.
The vehicles will serve Rhondda Cynon Taf on a daily basis and will enable the collection of food waste at the same time as non-recyclable “black bag” waste, allowing a more timely and efficient service.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is considered a trailblazer as it continues its work to dramatically reduce the amount of waste that is being sent to landfill that could, actually, be recycled and reused. In August 2010 it beat its own record of recycling 44.1% of waste.
As well as having a strong environmental conscience – it has recently secured the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard – the Council has to meet strict targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government and Europe on the amount of waste that is destined for landfill, facing severe financial penalties if it fails.
Food waste recycling is an initiative that, if all residents took part in, could reduce the amount of waste the county borough sends to landfill by a third. It would also see items such as fruit, vegetables, egg shells, bread, pasta, cereal, used kitchen towels, soiled food packaging and more being turned into compost and, eventually, bio fuel for vehicles or even electricity.
The food waste recycling service is in addition to the free, easy-to-use kerbside recycling scheme that is open to all residents, as well as community recycling centres and recycling banks located across the county borough.
By extending the Food Waste scheme further this will increase the volume of recycling collected to ensure that the Council meets the Recycling targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Cllr Anthony Christopher said: “We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and will continue to invest for the future to ensure we have the inspirational schemes, high-quality vehicles and easy-to-use facilities that people rely upon to recycle.
“We want to succeed in partnership with our communities, which is why we endeavour to maintain an effective weekly kerbside recycling and food waste collection scheme that is free of charge to use, as well as community facilities and ongoing education and awareness raising on the subject.”
Residents who already take advantage of the kerbside recycling schemes, will be provided with two food waste containers.
One is a small kitchen caddy, with a bag inside. Once this is filled then the bag can be tied securely and placed inside a new waste collection bin to be emptied during the usual weekly collection.
The kitchen caddy has a click-shut lid and the larger kitchen waste bin has a locking handle to prevent any smells escaping as well as avoiding attracting unwanted attention from animals.
The Food Waste Scheme covers most food items which will substantially reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfill.
The kitchen waste bin allows you to recycle fruit and vegetables, cooked and uncooked food, bread, pasta, cereal and rice, dairy products and eggshells, kitchen towels, contaminated or soiled paper or cardboard food wrappings, meat and fish, leftover food, teabags, coffee grounds and even bones.
The scheme will provide the residents with a clean and easy option for dealing with their food waste.
As part of the scheme the residents will be provided with a supply of Food waste bags for use in the containers.
The resident will be supplied with an information sheet which details the Scheme but should any further information be required then the resident may contact the Councils Street care service on 01443 494700.
