Alder BioInsights News Review: Feedstock Issue 157, April 2025

Foreword

Data published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on local authority waste management in England reveals a steady upward trend in ‘separately collected food waste’ between 2013 and 2023. Over the decade, the volume collected rose by 84%, increasing from just over a quarter of a million tonnes to approximately half a million. This growth followed a near-linear trajectory, with a strong correlation (R² = 0.955). In contrast, the volume of ‘other organics’—which includes wood for composting, mixed garden and food waste, green garden waste, and other compostable materials—showed no consistent pattern, fluctuating slightly year to year with no
significant changes.

Alongside the updated data for 2023–24, DEFRA has released new guidance on Simpler Recycling for households in England. Set to take effect from 31 March 2026, the Simpler Recycling scheme mandates the collection of core recyclable waste streams from all households across the country. The guidance is intended to support waste collection authorities—and any waste collectors operating on their behalf—in meeting the requirements of the new system.

Specifically for food waste, the guidance stipulates that food waste must be collected once a week and free of charge, with or without a caddy liner. Should the council choose to collect food waste separately from garden waste, two food waste bins should be provided to each household – a small bin suitable for the kitchen (i.e., caddy) and a larger bin for outside to facilitate collection…