Reduce waste and recycle more
We all have a part to play in what happens with our waste and things we don't use anymore.
There are lots of things you can do to reduce the amount of waste you have and reuse or recycle as much as you can.
After your waste is collected by your local district and borough councils or taken to one of our household waste recycling centres we then find the most sustainable solution to dispose of it.
We prioritise how we do this by what is best for the environment. We try to reduce, reuse and recycle first. We can recover energy from waste and sending waste to landfill is only done when there is no alternative. This is also known as the ‘hierarchy of waste’. We also aim to dispose of Kent's waste entirely in Kent if possible.
Reduce and reuse waste
The best way to reduce waste is to avoid it altogether. There are lots of things you can reuse instead of throwing them away, some ideas include:
- use reusable drinks bottles and cups instead of single use plastic bottles and takeaway cups
- make your own lunch and use beeswax wraps to use less plastic and packaging
- donate unused or unwanted items to a charity.
There are lots more ideas to help you reduce waste and reuse things on the Recycle Now website.
Recycling
Recycling is a great way to reduce waste by using what you throw away to create new products or materials.
- Recycle items using your kerbside recycling bins. Your local district or borough council lists what you can put in the bin.
- Compost garden and food waste, either at home or your local district or borough council may provide collections.
- Recycle items at our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
- Find recycling points in your area for things like carrier bags, coffee pods and cat food pouches.
- Recycle your electrical items - you can watch a video about how electrical items are recycled.
- Use recycling litter bins when you're out.
We process recyclable items, including plastics, glass, food and garden waste.
Recover energy
We can use non-recyclable waste to generate electricity. A renewable energy source that makes sure that waste is put to good use. This is all done at a waste to energy plant in Allington.
Treating and disposing of waste
The treatment of waste includes:
- anaerobic digestion - which converts food waste to gas for energy
- in-vessel composting for garden waste to create a peat-free compost suitable for use in farming and agriculture
- road sweepings are recycled and re-used mainly for aggregate in the construction industry.
Waste is only sent to landfill when there is no other alternative and the materials cannot be recycled or treated, for example asbestos and marine carcasses. Our use of landfill remains one of the lowest in England at less than 2%, the national average is 8.5%.
Our recent figures showing the amount of waste in Kent being sent to landfill are:
- 0.22% in January 2021
- 0.15% in December 2020
- 0.11% in November 2020
Find out where your waste goes
We work together with other councils in Kent, known as the Kent Resource Partnership, to collect, dispose of and treat waste. We monitor and report on where waste goes and what happens to it.