Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has plans to improve public awareness and participation in recycling schemes.

Over the Christmas period, and continuing over the run up to April, Defra have been utilising a range of social media channels to promote new food waste recycling services. This has included location targeted campaigns alongside the use of influencers popular with our targeted audiences. Examples can be found at:

(1835) Food Waste Recycling: Big Wins From Little Bins - YouTube

Vox Pop on food waste recycling

Minister Creagh Food waste Instagram

Discover the Magic of Food Waste Recycling Techniques | TikTok

Shef Phoenix (@shef_phoenix) | TikTok

Traitors – yogurt pots

Defra is also working with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) to provide guidance on best practice to help local authorities deliver services to all households. WRAP recently published communications guidance for local authority household food waste collections: https://www.wrap.ngo/taking-action/citizen-behaviour-change/recycle-now/campaign-assets/household-food-waste-collections-communications

To support local authorities, we have provided transitional resource funding for food waste communications to support citizens in understanding how to make full use of the new services.

In addition, PackUK will issue communications and explore behaviour change initiatives to promote the correct recycling and disposal of packaging waste. pEPR fees that producers pay will include a contribution to the costs of this work.