What can your leftovers do? Food waste bins and their success

By Holly Biddulph,

19

Food waste is inevitable, though the way we deal with it can make all the difference.

Each council in England has rolled out mandatory food waste bins, which means that your leftovers aren’t going to landfill. But what difference will this actually make?

Currently it is estimated that 44% of non-recyclable bins are made up of food waste, which will also be taken to landfill. Excess food waste is hugely environmentally damaging and is expensive to dispose of. Annually, an estimated 10 million tonnes of food and drink are wasted post-farm gate, at a cost of roughly £20 billion! (Gov.uk 2026).

To combat this, food waste across England is being collected and sent off to Anaerobic Digestion Facilities - sealed tanks where without oxygen, microorganisms break down waste! This is part of the government's mission to eliminate food waste at landfill by 2030.

Waste that is broken down produces biogas, which is then used to generate renewable energy for electricity, heat and as fuel for transport vehicles. Power generated is exported to the local electricity grid and gas network - enhancing energy security across all regions. Amazingly, 100,000 tonnes of food waste is enough to power 7,700 homes! (Suez 2026). With 9.5-9.6 million tonnes of food waste annually, there is great potential for the amount of power to be generated. All leftover material is called Digestate, which is a nutrient rich fertiliser that can be used to grow more food. This creates a recyclable loop, so food waste can power the growth of more food. Who knew the power of managing food waste correctly could be so beneficial for protecting the environment!

Importantly, By putting food waste to good use in the generation of renewable energy and returning nutrients to land, there is a reduction in the 25 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions released from the decomposition of waste in landfill. This is part of the government's 25 year plan to develop a circular economy, which will see resources kept in use for as much time as possible.

Your food waste holds a lot of power, harness it by disposing of it correctly.

Photo: ID 94923130 | Food Waste © Katie Nesling | Dreamstime.com

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