Waste not, want not
Elinor Hughes investigates some of the latest developments in recycling food waste
The UK produces around 15 million tonnes of household, commercial and industrial food waste every year. Most of it ends up in landfill to rot. Not only is this a huge environmental problem, as the rotting food generates greenhouse gases such as methane, it is also an expensive option. Landfill is taxed at a standard rate of £82.60 per tonne, which will increase from April 2016. By 2020, the UK will have to obey an EU rule put in place to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste, including food waste, ending up in landfill to 35% of 1995 levels. It has also been predicted the UK will run out of capacity in landfill sites within the next five years. What can be done to tackle this problem?
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