Mr. Percy Foster:

Senator Boylan brought up food waste prevention and we all support food waste prevention. It is very important. A recent report done by the Waste and Resources Action Programme, WRAP, in the UK looks at householders who had a collection system versus those who did not. It showed that where people recycled food waste to be used in compost and AD treatment, overall food waste generation decreased. By householders segregating their food waste, they see how much they waste and generate less, which is positive.

The circular economy Bill going through the Houses includes a support mechanism whereby incentivising charging would be introduced for the commercial sector, which we have in the household sector. When that is enacted, it will encourage businesses to recycle food waste more. About three years ago, RedC did a survey of 150 businesses, of which only two thirds recycled their food waste. In my opinion, that was down to the charging structure whereby residual waste was cheap versus recycling waste overall. When that Bill is enacted, it will encourage businesses to recycle food waste. It has all the benefits of helping businesses realise how much food waste they generate and try to prevent it. Also, by recycling food waste, which is wet and sloppy, you take it away from other recyclables, increasing plastics quality overall. When that legislation is enacted, it will be good for the economy and businesses.