Food waste collections are coming to Newham, and they are coming to Forest Gate, so I thought I’d share some information about them here. I know how committed Forest Gate North residents are to reducing our environmental impact, and disposing of rubbish correctly, and this is both a really positive development, and also a big change that we’ll all eventually need to get our heads around.

So first, why is this happening now? The short answer is that it’s being required by law. Lots of local authorities already provide a food waste service, but we haven’t done it here so far, and now we have to. But quite apart from the legal imperative, how we dispose of waste is a vital part of how we live more sustainably. Food waste can make up to 40% of all rubbish thrown away, and collecting and disposing of it separately not only reduces the environmental impact as it breaks down, but should also in the longer term encourage all of us to throw away less food.

There are a few logistical hurdles which make collection of food waste hard – firstly of course just the behaviour change. Just as separating out recycling started off as a new way of doing things and then became second nature, there will be a process of remembering to separate food waste. There are also issues around storage and bins. I know from social media from our neighbouring Waltham Forest that foxes in particular can be very determined about getting into food bins and making a mess of the contents. (In fact, Liz and I sit on the scrutiny committee where we were asking questions of officers about planning, communication, budget, implementation and more, to to try to help ensure this new waste service is a success.)

Another issue is that waste collection is always harder in blocks of flats, where there is no separate front garden space, and waste is kept in communal bins together. Again, this is an issue common to all local authorities, and officers are talking to other Councils to find out what lessons they have learned.

The first step in food waste collections for every home is a pilot which includes 10% of the borough, which includes some homes in Forest Gate North. If you live in this area you will probably have already received a food caddy, plus information about what happens next.

The roads in Forest Gate North that are in the pilot are over on the western side of the ward, including Wellington Road, Dames Road, Odessa Road, Field Road, Essex Street, Station Road, Suffolk Street, Eric Close, Eric Road, Fowler Road, Moore Walk, Forest Street, Leonard Road, Macdonald Road, Forest Lane, Clare Gardens, Wooder Gardens, Dean Street, Bignold Road, Ingestre Road, Norfolk Street, Strode Road, Talbot Road, Clinton Road, Emily Duncan Place, Norfolk Street, Stracy Road (and possibly a couple of more that I have missed here, sorry).

You can put all kinds of food waste into your bin, including meat, and dairy.

If you, like me, live in an area not part of the initial pilot, then we can sit tight for now and wait to see what the results of the pilot are, and what the next steps are, but just be aware that these changes are coming.

If you’re keen to start reducing the environmental impact of your food waste already, you might want to think about composting. Composting is surprisingly easy, reduces the amount you throw away, and even provides a free source of soil for the garden. Newham subsidises compost bins for residents, and you can find out all about composting in Newham, including a link to buy a subsidised bin, here.

I’ll share more on this as we have it. Any change to rubbish collection is a huge task, both in terms of the mechanics of actually picking up a different waste stream, but also in terms of the ongoing communication with people to let them know what is expected, and when. Overall though, I’m personally very positive about this change, which is not only required but also once we have bedded in, will be really beneficial.