FOOD WASTE recycling in Reading has hit a record high as Reading Borough Council and re3’s call for residents to recycle more continues to show results.
Data shows January was a record-breaking month for food waste recycling in Reading, with 708 tonnes collected.
This is the highest monthly total since the service was first introduced in 2021.
In mid-November the council joined re3 in launching a borough-wide campaign to encourage residents to recycle more food and keep it out of their general waste bins.
Following the campaign, the borough recorded a 12% increase in food waste collected in January this year, and combined with December’s increase, Reading’s food waste recycling has risen by 15% compared with the previous year.
The borough-wide behavioural change campaign has been reminding residents to use their weekly food waste collections and highlighting the benefits to them and the environment.
The campaign included STOP sign styled bin stickers, leaflets, free caddy liners, radio adverts and bus screen messaging to remind residents to avoid recyclable food items slipping into their general waste by mistake, and to encourage residents who are not making use of their weekly kerbside food waste collections that it is never too late to get started.
The council says that the continued momentum into January shows that many residents are turning those reminders into lasting habits, helping reduce the amount of food going into general waste bins and lowering disposal costs.
Food waste recycling brings important environmental benefits: when food waste is sent to landfill, it breaks down and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change.
When recycled instead, food waste can create energy that can return power to the grid. Recycling just one caddy of food waste can create enough energy to power a light bulb for up to 24 hours.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “We are delighted with these results and thrilled the momentum from our food recycling campaign is being maintained.
“We knew Reading residents had it in them to hit a new record total with food recycling, and they’ve done just that.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to all the residents who have contributed to this success. If you were re-inspired to recycle or if you just decided to renew your efforts, then bravo to you for thinking about your impact on the environment.
She explained: “Every chicken bone or pile of vegetable scrapings that you could have thrown in the rubbish but chose not to is really making that difference.
“You’re doing really great things in helping the environment, generating energy and cutting down on landfill and its associated costs.
“I tell everyone it is never too late to join in–if you’re not currently recycling your food waste, please order a caddy from us, get some free liners, and be part of Reading’s latest success story by recycling your food waste.”
