Food Waste

Wasted food has a big impact on climate change, as most of it ends up in landfill sites where it rots and releases methane into the environment which is a damaging greenhouse gas.

The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it… but some waste like egg shells, banana skins, meat & fish bones and tea bags is inevitable.

All councils in Wales now collect food waste, which can be treated in one of two ways.

• The first method, Anaerobic Digestion, uses micro-organisms called 'methanogens' to break down food waste, farm animal manures and energy crops in the absence of oxygen, inside an enclosed tank. As it breaks down, it gives off 'bio-gas', which is collected and used to generate electricity, heat or transport fuels. It also creates biofertiliser that can be used in farming and land regeneration.
  
  

• The second, In-vessel composting, involves mixing food waste with garden waste, shredding it and composting it in a tunnel or container for around two to four weeks. Temperatures of up to 70 degrees C speed up the process and kill any harmful microbes. It is then left for a further 1-3 months with regular turning and checks to ensure quality, before going on to be used as a soil conditioner.

All household food waste is collected by your council weekly.