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Environment & Climate

Cornwall Council reports 36,000 tonnes of food waste recycled under new collection service

Local officials highlight environmental and energy gains as the county works toward a 65% waste recycling goal by 2029.

Updated Aug 27, 2026 · 07:17 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Cornwall Council has collected and recycled roughly 36,000 tonnes of food waste over the last two years through a revised waste service.
  • The collected waste is processed at an anaerobic digestion facility in Devon, producing electricity for the National Grid and liquid fertilizer for local agriculture.
  • Officials hope increased public participation will help boost Cornwall's overall recycling rate from just over 50% to its target of 65% by 2029.

Key facts

  • Cornwall Council has recycled approximately 36,000 tonnes of food waste since implementing its new service two years ago.[BBC News]
  • The food waste is processed by Severn Trent Green Power at an anaerobic digester facility in Holsworthy, Devon.[BBC News]
  • The Holsworthy site can process about 1,100 tonnes of food waste weekly, converting generated methane into electricity that powers roughly 8,500 homes.[BBC News]
  • Council analysis indicates that food accounts for 22% of household general rubbish in Cornwall, with 43% of that food remaining in its original packaging.[BBC News]
  • Cornwall's recycling rate currently exceeds 50%, with the council targeting 65% by 2029.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains uncertain whether household participation will increase sufficiently to reach the council's 2029 target of a 65% recycling rate.[BBC News]

Sources