Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Food Waste Segregation for Households

Question:

To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether there are any plans to introduce a food waste segregation programme for households nation-wide modelled after the "Food Waste? Don’t Waste!" pilot in or around 2018; and (b) if not, why not.

Answer:

1. Food waste is one of the three priority waste streams under the Zero Waste Masterplan. As part of our national approach, we have implemented a range of efforts to holistically reduce the amount of food waste generated and improve food waste recycling, including segregation of food waste from large industrial and commercial generators.

2. We are encouraged that community partners such as Public Waste Collectors and Town Councils have trialled the collection of segregated food waste from households. However, the household participation rate of some of these trials could not be sustained despite regular engagement and reminders. Ultimately, the support of all stakeholders is needed to sustain such household food waste segregation initiatives.

3. My Ministry continues to encourage such ground-up initiatives to manage food waste and is prepared to support promising proposals. In addition, we will continue to review measures and explore ways to reduce food waste, and improve food waste recycling from domestic premises.