Donegal Compost Giveaway Events
National Food Waste Recycling Week which runs from the 5thJune until the 11th June 2023 is the national campaign from MyWaste.ie to encourage people to recycle their food waste. This campaign will provide practical advice, with easy to follow hints and tips to encourage everyone to recycle more of their food waste.
As part of this week Donegal County Council in partnership with Bryson Recycling and Envirogrind Ltd have arranged Free Compost Giveaway Events across the Council’s 6 Recycling Centres. Envirogrind Ltd located in Donegal make compost from a variety of sources, including from food and garden waste collected from households. This is a perfect example of the Circular Economy at work.
Donegal County Council Compost Giveaway Events:
Tuesday 6th June
10am – 12pm Letterkenny Recycling Centre
2pm – 4pm Dungloe Recycling Centre
Wednesday 7th June
10am – 12pm Carndonagh Recycling Centre
2pm – 4pm Milford Recycling Centre
Thursday 8th June
10.30am – 12.30pm Laghey Recycling Centre
2pm – 4pm Stranorlar Recycling Centre
Householders are asked to bring their own way of collecting the loose compost either using bags or containers, compost will be available while stocks last. Staff will be on site to assist and give advice on food waste recycling and a limited number of Food Waste Recycling Starter Packs will be available to householders. Starter packs include a Food Waste caddy, a roll of compostable liners and information on what food waste can be recycled. In Donegal, waste collectors have been busy over the past number of years offering food waste bins to householders.
This year’s campaign aims to ensure that people understand that food waste needs to be fully separated from all packaging such as plastic or other containers to prevent contamination at the compost and anaerobic digestion facilities leading to higher quality recycling.
Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: “This National Food Waste Recycling Week my message to everyone is straightforward. We all have a role to play in reducing food waste. It benefits our local environment, can help us reach our climate targets, helps us show our farmers, fishers and food producers that we value their products and of course it can help us save money on our grocery bills. Working together with colleagues in government we are committed to our global climate targets and protecting our local environment. There is a wealth of information on how every household can reduce their food waste at MyWaste.ie and I encourage everyone to consider trying out some of their practical ideas that can help you to play your part.”
Pauline McDonogh, Circular Economy Coordinator, Southern Waste Region, said: “Organic waste collected in the brown bin accounted for 11% of all household waste managed in 2020 (199,823 t). The tonnage of organic waste increased by 25% when compared to the 2019 tonnage (159,385 t). However, previous EPA studies have shown that most household organic waste (over 60%) continues to be placed in the residual (black) or recycling bins and therefore not recycled**.
From January 1st, 2024, under new national legislation to be introduced later this year all waste management companies will be obliged to provide food waste recycling bins for compostable material which will radically improve Ireland’s management of food waste. This campaign is focused on continuing to educate people on what can be put into their food waste recycling bin. It will highlight the importance of separating waste food from its packaging to ensure we reduce contamination and achieve high quality recycling. This is good for the Irish environment as it is a closed production process and supports our circular economy.”