House of Commons Commission written question – answered at on 24 January 2012.
To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2010, Official Report, column 51W, on Commons food waste, what estimate the Commission has made of the monetary value of food waste generated by House of Commons food outlets in each month since April 2010; what the outcome was of its review in 2009-10 of potential waste disposal schemes; and by what means food waste is currently redistributed or disposed of.
In the eight-month period from April 2010 until November 2010 the cumulative cost of food waste recorded was estimated at £56,996. No record is available month-by-month for this period and no record is available of the monthly or cumulative cost for the period from December 2010 until March 2011.
Since April 2011, the estimated cost of food waste in each month has been as follows:
Month | Estimated cost of food waste (£) |
April 2011 | 4,240 |
May 2011 | 4,767 |
June 2011 | 6,410 |
July 2011 | 3,258 |
August 2011 | 3,459 |
September 2011 | 4,811 |
October 2011 | 3,652 |
November 2011 | 5,970 |
December 2011 | 7,020 |
Total April to December 2011 | 43,586 |
In compiling the information to answer this question, it has become clear that wastage has not been consistently recorded in all areas and the above figures are likely to be understated. It is likely that the answer given on
The review in 2009-10 of potential waste disposal schemes identified a preferred option of food waste composting. Food waste composting forms part of the new waste management contract, which commenced in November 2011. A food waste composting pilot for the Terrace Kitchen is due to start before the end of the 2011-12 financial year. Thereafter the scheme will be extended to the rest of the Estate.
Currently food waste is diverted from landfill and is sent to a local energy from waste facility.
Yes1 person thinks so
No1 person thinks not
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