Sevenoaks food waste collections help push recycling rates to record high

Sevenoaks District Council says its new recycling measures are already making a visible difference, with residents recycling more food waste and cutting the amount going into general rubbish.

Recycling rates across Sevenoaks District have reached a record high after the rollout of new food waste collections and reusable recycling bags.

In the first month of the new weekly food waste service, council crews collected 220 tonnes of food waste from households across the district. According to Sevenoaks District Council, that puts the area close to the top 25% of Kent councils for food waste recycling.

The council says the collected food waste will help produce up to 80,000 kWh of energy, which is enough to power around 30 average-sized family homes for a year. Residents are now recycling about 58 tonnes of food waste every week, adding around 6% to the district’s overall recycling rate.

For many residents, the food waste collection has been a long-awaited service. Separating food from general rubbish is one of those changes that may feel small at household level, but the first month’s figures show how quickly it can add up across the district. Public numbers like these are useful because they show the scheme is not just another council change, but something that is already producing measurable results.

There has also been a practical benefit on local streets. The council says crews have noticed fewer black sacks being split open by animals at properties now using the separate food waste service. That means less mess outside homes and cleaner streets on collection days.

The district’s recycling rate has also been helped by the reusable green recycling sacks introduced in 2024. The council says residents have increased recycling of cardboard, paper, plastics and other household items by a further 3.5% since the sacks were brought in.

By October 2026, the reusable sacks are expected to have saved the council £225,000 before they are phased out and replaced by wheelie bins. Once the sacks are no longer needed, residents will be able to keep them for their own use or return them to the council for recycling during the first four weeks of the new service.

Cllr Irene Roy, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner and Greener, said the council was pleased with the early results and thanked residents who had started using the food waste service. She said the next phase of “The Big Recycling Upgrade” will begin in October, when alternate weekly collections and new wheelie bins are introduced.

The new figures come as councils across Kent continue to focus on food waste recycling. Kent County Council has previously said food is the largest part of household rubbish in the county, making up around 28% of what is thrown away. It also said recycling food waste can help generate energy, produce fertiliser and reduce disposal costs.

The early results in Sevenoaks suggest residents are willing to use the new system when the service is made easy enough. The real test will come later this year when the next stage of changes begins, but the first month gives the council a strong argument that separate food waste collection is already working.

For more information, visit Sevenoaks District Council’s recycling page: Recycling rates reach record high across the District