Published: Thursday, 7th May 2026
Residents across Cannock Chase District have recycled more than 95 tonnes of food waste in the first week of the new food waste collection service.
The service launched last Monday (27 April) and forms part of a national government initiative aimed at increasing the amount of food waste recycled by households across the country.
Around 44,000 households across the district have received new food waste containers, including a seven-litre indoor kitchen caddy, a 23-litre outdoor kerbside caddy and a roll of liners. Residents were also provided with an information leaflet on how the service works.
All collected food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion facility in Cannock, where it is converted into renewable energy. The resulting digestate is then used in agriculture to help improve soil quality.
Joss Presland, Head of Operations said: “Introducing a new food waste collection service across the district has been a challenge, and I’d like to thank residents for their patience while the service was rolled out.
“On average, households throw away around £800 worth of edible food each year. By separating food waste, we hope residents will become more aware of their habits and identify simple changes that can help them save money and reduce waste.
“We are really pleased with the level of engagement so far, with more than 95 tonnes of food waste recycled in the very first week. This positive uptake shows how committed our residents are to reducing waste and helping the environment.”
Items that can be recycled through the new service include:
• Fruit and vegetables, including peelings
• Fish, meat and bones
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Eggs and dairy products
For more information, visit: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/foodwaste