Haringey composting cuts waste

An innovative scheme run by Haringey Borough Council has reduced the amount of food waste sent to landfill to an all-time low.

The project is an extension of the dedicated food waste bins provided for kerbside collections, which have been in use since 2006. Estate residents now have access to indoor and communal food waste bins, depending on the type of property concerned.

The service has been taken up enthusiastically, and an extra eight tonnes of food waste is now recycled every week. Once collected, it is turned into compost that can then be purchased at the borough’s refuse and recycling facilities.

This compost is great for using on gardens and vegetable patches, which in turn encourages local residents to give growing their own food a try. Even if this doesn’t appeal, a green and healthy garden is a great place for families to spend time during the coming summer months. Recycling is also a simple way to help the environment that everyone can take part in.

Stuart McNamara, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “It’s great news that residents in estates and blocks of flats have embraced the extra opportunities to recycle. Their efforts, alongside those of thousands of keen recyclers across Haringey, mean we are recycling more waste than ever before.”

He added: “Anyone who doesn’t use dry food or waste collection services can contact our waste contractor Veolia to find out how they can."

A wide variety of items are suitable for the food waste collections, such as used teabags, coffee grounds, stale, out of date, or spoiled food, bones and other household food that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Veolia’s contract manager for Haringey Paul Peters said: “We are so pleased with the successful roll out of the food waste service. It is increasingly important that we do not waste resources and throw away items that can be reused or turned into something else. All food waste in Haringey that is collected is turned into compost that is then used across North London.”

Published 30th March, 2015

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