Results from the Putaruru food waste collection trials. Key results include:
− Waste reduction effect appears significant
− More food waste in residual than expected – but high margin of error
− Full user-pays or fortnightly refuse collection would further improve capture
− Feedback has been positive
Kitchen food waste in New Zealand typically makes up around 40% of domestic collected waste (150-170kg per capita) making it one of the largest, if not the largest, single fraction of the domestic waste stream (Waste Not Consulting 2007), and therefore an obvious target for diversion from landfill. Preventing kitchen waste from being sent to landfill can also have significant environmental benefits as it is a contributor to the production of greenhouse gases (particularly methane) and leachate when placed in a landfill environment. Furthermore, food waste is a source of nutrient rich organic material which, if subjected to biological treatment, can make a valuable soil amendment and/or provide a source of energy (through capture of methane from biodigestion).
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