Recycling benefit

Amount recycled
291,587t
CO2 avoided
14,579t
Estimated disposal saving
£32,949,340
Reported as exported
0%

Organics waste includes garden waste, food waste and other forms of biodegradable waste. Much of this – food waste in particular – is avoidable, with 4.4 million tonnes of avoidable household food waste being thrown away each year at an average annual cost of £470 per family. This waste produces 19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) emissions, comparable to the emissions produced by one in four cars on UK roads.

You can reduce the amount of food you throw out by learning more about food waste, how to make food last longer and how to dispose of food waste in an environmentally responsible way.

WRAP figures reveal that, in the UK, 95 per cent of local authorities operate a kerbside garden waste collection. In Wales, all local authorities provide this service, but 18 per cent charge for it. In terms of food waste collections, around 93 per cent of Welsh households have access to a food waste collection, as opposed to the UK average of 50 per cent.

When collected for recycling, organic waste can be put to a variety of uses.  Composting produces useful products such as biofertilisers and biogas, through in-vessel composting, open-air windrow composting, or anaerobic digestion (where organic matter is decomposed in a container without oxygen). Recycling just one tonne of food waste through anaerobic digestion can generate around 300kWh of energy – enough to charge around 5,500 iPads.

You can learn more about how to recycle organic waste, such as food waste and garden waste, on the Wales Recycles website.


Recycling process

Food waste
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Anaerobic digestion and microorganisms called ‘methanogens’ breaking down food waste

The most common way our food waste is treated is by using a process known as ‘anaerobic digestion’. Microorganisms called ‘methanogens’ break down food waste inside a tank

 

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Biogas collected and used to generate ‘green energy’

It produces ‘biogas’, which is collected and used to generate ‘green energy’ that powers homes and communities across the nation

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Bio-fertiliser that can be used in farming and for land regeneration

It also creates bio-fertiliser that can be used in farming and for land regeneration

Garden waste
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Garden waste is taken to a composting facility

Garden waste is taken to a composting facility. It’s sorted and screened, and anything that can’t be composted is removed

 

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Long pile called a windrow

It’s shredded and laid out in a long pile called a windrow to decompose into compost

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Windrows are turned to allow more oxygen into the mixture

Windrows are turned to allow more oxygen into the mixture, to encourage the growth of bacteria and fungus – known as ‘microorganisms’ – which speeds up the composting process

 

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60 degrees Celsius to kill any harmful pathogens, weeds, and plant diseases

It reaches around 60 degrees Celsius to kill any harmful pathogens, weeds, and plant diseases. Once completely broken down, the compost is used:

 

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Garden waste
  • by farmers and growers to produce food
  • in parks and public gardens
  • as a soil conditioner in household gardens
Recycling process: Food Waste
Recycling process: Garden Waste

Where does organic waste recycling go?

Top countries (selected materials) - 2023/24

Top UK recycling destinations

Country Tonnes
Wales 250,424t
England 40,479t
Company Country Tonnes
Biogen Wales 36,345t
Welsh Water Wales 34,520t
CWM Environmental Ltd Wales 21,716t
Severn Trent Green Power Wales 19,663t
unspecified Wales 13,870t
Bryn Group Limited Wales 13,033t
Greenfield Composting Site Wales 11,211t
3C Waste Limited Wales 10,483t
Lawrence Bros Wales 9,244t
Newport City Council Wales 8,117t
Isle Of Anglesey County Council Wales 7,536t
Green Waste Company (Abergavenny) Limited Wales 7,493t

Top world recycling destinations

Company Country Tonnes
unspecified unspecified 685t