The campaign comes as new figures reveal that Kent has recycled 18% more food waste over the last year, with more than 5,000 additional tonnes diverted from general rubbish bins between April 2025 and March 2026.
Despite this progress, food waste remains the single largest material still being lost to Kent's rubbish bins, making up nearly 30% of household rubbish. On average, households across Kent throw away around 1.6kg of food waste into their rubbish bins every week, including items that could be put to better use.
Food waste collected across Kent is sent for processing through anaerobic digestion, where it is turned into biogas that can be used for energy to power homes, while also producing fertiliser used on farms to grow new food.
Increasing food waste recycling is also helping to reduce costs. The additional food waste recycled over the last year has generated an estimated £680,000 saving in disposal costs, demonstrating how small actions at home can deliver benefits for both the environment and public finances.
Throughout the summer, KCC will be sharing practical tips to help households keep their caddies clean and fresh, such as emptying the caddy regularly, and giving it a rinse.
“We've seen a fantastic increase in food waste recycling across Kent over the last year, but there is still more we can do.”
Jamie Henderson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, said: "We've seen a fantastic increase in food waste recycling across Kent over the last year, but there is still more we can do.
‘Food waste recycling is simple, convenient and makes a real difference. Whether it's tea bags, leftovers from a family BBQ or fruit peelings from a summer picnic, every item recycled helps create renewable energy, supports farming and saves money.
‘This summer we're encouraging residents to make food waste recycling part of their everyday routine and help us continue the great progress being made across Kent."
Residents who need a food waste caddy or would like more information about what can be recycled can visit: Food waste collections - Kent County Council
