Broadland: 1,700 more homes added to food waste collection service and support pledged for Food Waste Week

The expansion will happen in parts of Thorpe St Andrew, Sprowston, Old Catton, Spixworth and Drayton.

Broadland District Council was the first local authority in Norfolk to carry out separate food waste collections in 2008, which started as a six month, government funded trial serving about 6,000 homes.

Since then, about 18,000 tonnes of food waste has been collected and the service is offered to more than 30,000 homes – almost half of all households in Broadland.

The new food waste caddies are set to be delivered in the week commencing 19 April. Households will receive a small caddy for use inside the house and a larger one to be left out for collection, as well as liners. Two weeks prior to the caddies being delivered, a leaflet explaining the food recycling process will be delivered.

The food waste expansion comes as Broadland District Council pledges its support for Food Waste Action Week 2021, which takes place 1 to 7 March and is organised by world-leading sustainability charity WRAP.

Wasted food contributes 8 to 10% of total manmade greenhouse gas emissions and roughly one third of food produced around the world is wasted, contributing significantly to climate change according to WRAP.

Cllr Judy Leggett, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Excellence, said:

“We are committed to preventing food waste both through our own operations and through supporting our residents to reduce food waste at home, and we are proud signatories of the Courtauld Commitment. “We pledge our support for Food Waste Action Week 2021 as we believe that working together with WRAP to share vital messages about wasting food is the best way to emphasise the importance of preventing food waste and reducing the harm to the environment. “Our food is as precious as our planet, and as a supporter we have a fantastic opportunity to inspire our residents to make essential changes that can reduce wasted food and ultimately help protect the planet we all share.”

Broadland District Chairman Cllr Karen Vincent commented:

“Broadland District Council is delighted to pledge our support for Food Waste Action Week 2021. We are committed to preventing food waste by doing all we can to raise awareness of food waste and its impact on climate change.”

Head to WRAP's website Love Food Hate Waste for advice and tips.