Further government funding required for food waste collections

03 Jun 2025

Northumberland County Council is urging Government to provide additional funding needed to make weekly food collections available to more households across the county.  

For the past three years a successful food waste pilot scheme has been underway to approximately 5,000 households in Northumberland, and while £2.9m has been received from Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to further boost this provision, an extra £1.5m is still needed to extend this service to all households across the county from April 2026. 

The Council is well underway with its plans for the project to ensure it can provide the most cost effective and efficient service to as many households as possible with the funding made available by Government. 

Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “The funding so far is helping us make progress with our food waste plans.  

“However, delivering this service across a large and rural county like Northumberland requires substantial investment. I know many people are wanting to be involved so the lack of funding might mean some are left out which we don't want. 

“This is why I am writing to the Government to ask that this significant funding shortfall be met to ensure every household can benefit from this vital service.  

"Expanding food waste collections not only enhances the recycling service we offer to residents but also plays a key role in our wider environmental and climate change commitments.”   

"We look forward to receiving a positive response from the Government as soon as possible, so we can move forward with our plans." 

The collected food waste will be processed at anaerobic digestion facilities to generate renewable energy and a bio-fertiliser, which helps reduce carbon emissions while also improving soil health and fertility.