Managing Food Waste
Food Waste
How Much?
Food waste is a significant issue in Ireland with environmental, social and economic impacts.
- Irish households generate approximately 250,000 tonnes of food waste each year
- The average household wastes about 150kg annually
For practical tips visit: https://stopfoodwaste.ie/
Why It Matters
Growing, processing and transporting food all use significant amounts of resources (land, water, energy). Every item of food wasted also carries the environmental weight of those wasted resources as well.
Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change generating around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Food waste is deeply unethical – so much food is thrown away while many people cannot afford to eat. It is also a waste of money, as avoidable food waste can significantly increase household costs.
Below, you’ll find useful resources to help you get started:
- an all you ‘need-to-know’ easy guide to help you reduce household food waste.
Five Ways to Reduce Food Waste
- five top actions to start reducing food waste today.
Brown Bin Collection
Legislation, which came into effect on 1st January 2024, means all householders in Ireland with access to a waste collection service, are entitled to a brown bin recycling collection service for food waste and light garden waste, from their waste collector. Householders can simply separate cooked and raw food and leave the bin out as part of your normal kerbside waste collection so it can be sent to a composting site or to an anaerobic digestion plant to make green energy.
Accepted items include:
- All food waste including meat, fish and leftovers
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Food-soiled paper such as napkins and pizza boxes
- Grass clippings and light garden waste
Watch the following MyWaste video on how to recycle your food waste:
How to Recycle Food Waste in Ireland - YouTube
Further information:
Composting
Home composting is a great way dealing with food waste, in particular, garden waste, fruit and vegetable waste and peelings and re-uses valuable nutrients that would have otherwise gone to waste.
There are lots of different systems available to help you compost your waste at home.
- Compost Bin
These bins are suitable for most garden waste, some kitchen waste as well as some paper and cardboard. Naturally occurring bacteria break down the waste and turn it into compost. Apart from reducing the amount of waste that going to landfill, you also get a free source of compost for your garden. They can be purchased at most garden centres and DIY stores.
For further information, see here: Installing a Composter
- Worm Composting (Vermicomposting or Vermiculture)
Worm composting is a simple and effective way to recycle food waste at home, even if you don’t have a garden. It uses special composting worms to break down food scraps into a nutrient‑rich natural fertiliser.
Worms feed on food waste and produce “worm castings” (a dark, soil-like material), which can be used to improve soil health in gardens, flower beds, and houseplants.
Regular earthworms are not suitable as they do not eat enough waste. Instead, brandling worms (also known as tiger worms), commonly found in manure or compost heaps, should be used.
What Can I Put in a Worm Bin?
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Bread and cereal
- Small amounts of cooked food
What Should I Avoid?
- Meat and fish
- Dairy products
- Greasy or oily foods
- Citrus fruits (in large amounts)
Further information:
Grass Waste
Grass clippings can be composted but you must mix in an equal amount of dry, carbon rich materials such as brown leaves, woody materials or shredded paper to make successful compost. It is a good idea to compost grass in a separate pile to your compost bin.
Even better why not try ‘GrassCycling’ - a simple way of dealing with grass waste. GrassCycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving grass clippings on the lawn when mowing. Once on the ground the clippings, which contain 80-85% water, decompose quickly returning valuable nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil.
See the information visit:
Green Waste
Garden waste is biodegradable garden waste like hedge trimmings, lawn clippings, light branches and leaves which is a valuable resource within your garden. Recycling garden waste within the garden is the natural, sustainable option, reducing our impact on global warming and strengthening the soil's capacity to adapt to climate change.
Garden waste can be recycled in your compost bin or heaped with your uncooked fruit and vegetables as well as some paper and cardboard.
If you have too much garden waste to compost at home, grass clippings, hedge trimmings, trees, leaves etc can be brought to Ballisodare Composting Facility, Union Road, Ballisodare, Co Sligo, F91 YK76.