Lincolnshire's new food waste collection initiative is off to a promising start, with nearly 700 tonnes of food waste collected in just the first three weeks. According to Lincolnshire Live, the new service has been introduced in Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, and South Kesteven, with plans for the rest of the county to join in this autumn.
Council officials have reported a warm reception from the community, noting that up to two-thirds of eligible households are already participating in the scheme. The collected food waste is set to be processed in a biodigester, which will convert it into renewable energy rather than sending it to landfill.
Councillor Danny Brookes, chair of the Lincolnshire Waste Forum, expressed optimism about the roll-out, acknowledging some minor 'teething problems' but emphasizing that residents are eager to recycle and contribute to environmental efforts. He mentioned, "If you’re using your food waste for composting or feeding it to the dogs, that’s fair enough – but if it would just go in your general bin, you may as well use the caddy."
Initial figures from a recent meeting of the Waste Forum indicated participation rates ranging from 45% to 65% across the areas involved, with expectations that these numbers will continue to rise. During the first two weeks of the initiative, approximately 190 tonnes of food waste were collected each week, with that figure increasing to 310 tonnes in the third week, coinciding with South Kesteven's participation.
Later this year, Boston, South Holland, and East Lindsey are also set to begin their food waste collections, although exact dates are still to be confirmed. Each household is now equipped with both an indoor caddy and an outdoor one, which can be placed at the kerb on collection days.
Previously, food waste accounted for a quarter of all rubbish thrown away in Lincolnshire. The new initiative aims to change that by turning food scraps into valuable renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser for local farms.
Residents are encouraged to make the most of the service by placing a variety of food items in their caddies, including all uneaten food, plate scrapings, meat and fish (raw or cooked), dairy products, tea bags, coffee grounds, rice, pasta, beans, and all types of fruits and vegetables, including peelings.
As Lincolnshire continues to embrace this new waste collection system, it presents an opportunity for the community to engage in more sustainable practices. How has your experience been with the new food waste caddies so far?