Food waste recycling is skyrocketing across Kent. Residents are delivering some of the county’s highest-ever recycling figures as councils roll out new services and encourage more recycling at home.

In December alone, Kent recorded an estimated 22% increase in food waste recycling compared with the previous year. That’s an extra 600 tonnes of food waste collected over the festive period - roughly the weight of 43 double-decker buses.

Redirecting this material from the county’s Energy from Waste plant - which turns non‑recyclable waste into energy - to food waste recycling saved more than £75,000 in disposal costs in just one month. These savings help offset rising costs in other waste services and support future investment in initiatives that increase recycling rates.

Food is the largest component of household rubbish in Kent, making up a striking 28% of everything thrown away. Separating food waste often makes avoidable waste more visible, helping to reduce unnecessary purchases and saving money.

Paul King, Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Special Projects, said: “Thousands of households across Kent are already doing their bit, and the impact is clear.

‘Food waste is the largest component of household rubbish in Kent, making up almost a third of everything we throw away – and it’s really simple to recycle it and help the environment in a big way.

‘Recycling food waste produces high‑quality fertiliser for Kent’s farms and helps generate energy that powers homes and supports the recycling process.

‘It’s also far cheaper than sending food to the Energy from Waste plant. Instead of paying to burn it, we can recycle it and deliver real environmental and economic benefits for Kent.

‘Whatever way you look at it, recycling food waste just makes sense.”

This year, every household in Kent will have access to a food waste recycling service, following national legislation. The changes in Kent are:

• residents in Dartford and Sevenoaks will receive food waste collections for the first time
• flats previously without collections will be contacted by their local council as recycling services roll out.

These changes mean Kent’s food waste recycling rates are expected to rise even further throughout 2026.

Find out more:

• See how we recycle food waste in Kent
• Need a kitchen caddy? Order one from your local council at: www.kent.gov.uk/foodwaste

Source: Kent County Council