The expansion aims to help residents repurpose their food waste into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser. In the first ten months of Phase 1, 12,000 participating households recycled 533 tonnes of food waste, equivalent to the weight of 42 double-decker buses.
This rollout is in response to the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, mandating separate weekly food waste collections for councils in England. To support the latest phase, Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment, and Cllr Reverend Canon Ann Easter, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment Mayoral Advisor for Faith, joined waste collection crews to deliver starter kits.
Councillor Susan Masters stated, “It was fantastic to join our hardworking teams today to help deliver food waste recycling caddies to residents. With around 40% of our rubbish made up of food waste, we all have a real opportunity to make a positive change and turn our scraps into something useful.” She added, “Our residents have already shown what we can achieve together, and it's brilliant to see so many households embracing food waste recycling. Now, as we expand the service across the borough, we want even more residents to get involved and make food waste part of their weekly routine.”
Collected food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is converted into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser. The council highlights that small contributions make a difference, with six recycled tea bags potentially generating enough electricity to boil a kettle.
Resident Farooq shared his positive experience: “It's really handy having a small caddy in the kitchen for things like fruit and vegetable peelings and other food scraps. I've definitely noticed that our rubbish bin doesn't fill up as quickly during the week anymore. I'm really pleased this service has been implemented. It's a small change that's helping us all do our bit for the environment every week.”
Each street-level property in the current rollout will receive a free starter kit, including a 5-litre kitchen caddy, a 23-litre outdoor caddy, liners, and an instruction leaflet. Deliveries began on 19 October and will continue for six to eight weeks. Residents can find more information at newham.gov.uk/foodwaste.
The council's 'Your Food Waste Has a Future' campaign, featuring 'Scrap Squad' characters, aims to encourage weekly recycling. Residents can also seek advice from the Waste Reduction Engagement Team at pop-up events.
The final phase of weekly food waste recycling, covering remaining flats and flats above shops, is scheduled for Spring 2027.
