Wokingham food waste caddies helped recycle 30 blue whales worth of food each week

Wokingham Borough Council said residents are recycling more than 100 tonnes of food waste each week thanks to the introduction of food waste ‘caddies’.

The ‘caddy’ collection was introduced in April by the council and GreenRedeem to help reach their 50per cent recycling target across the borough.

The council says it is heading in the right direction with a prediction to achieve a seven per cent increase in its recycling rate compared to April last year.

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So far, 3,343 tonnes of food waste has been collected and processed since the introduction for various uses such as creating renewable energy for homes and natural fertiliser.

Parry Batth, executive member for environment said: “We would like to thank all our residents who have taken to food waste recycling will real enthusiasm.

"The festive period is a prime opportunity to make the most of our food waste recycling service, so make sure bones, peelings and other food waste goes into the right bin and is recycled.”

Residents will now be able to recycle more festive packaging including mince pie foil cases, plastic sweet tubs and aluminium foil to one of re3 recycling centres in: Longshot Lane in Bracknell, or Island Road in Reading.

After the January Sales’ waste re3 are encouraging residents to additionally use the Reuse or Donation area to recycle their unwanted items such as; furniture, plastic toys, glassware, small electricals or CDs, which will be rehomed or sold locally, supporting the charity Sue Ryder.

Food waste bags are also available to collect from main council offices at Shute End for Wokingham Borough Council residents or from libraries across the borough.