Don't throw food in the bin - get a bucket

Everyone’s talking about the climate change bill and the possibility that we could be charged for the amount of rubbish we throw away.

I think it’s a great idea. It costs councils money (in wages, equipment and landfill tax) to get rid of every bag we leave out for them, and it makes sense to reward those people who make the effort to recycle.

In future it could pay to find ways to get rid of your rubbish without throwing it in the bin.

So you’re recycling paper, cans and bottles, and you’ve got a compost heap, but what about food waste that won’t compost - meat, dairy and cooked food? Some local authorities collect all this in buckets which you leave out on bin day, but a lot of people are put off by the potential smell and the risk of attracting animals.

There is an alternative, which helps you make use of your food waste yourself - a bokashi bucket.

This is a plastic bucket (yes, I know), with a false bottom and a tap. You put food waste in it, sprinkle a special bran over each time, and when it’s full, you leave it for two weeks and then dig it into your garden or add it to the compost heap. The tap is for a super strong fertiliser which you can dilute and use to feed your plants, or pour neat down the drain as it’s a good cleaner. The bran contains soil microorganisms which break down the food, and produce the magic liquid.

A bokashi bucket will take just about anything, including meat and fish - the only thing the microorganisms don’t like is teabags as the tannin doesn’t suit them (almost as fussy as my son).

It's been used in Japan for many years. I’ve got one and it works a treat - great for the inevitable leftovers when you’re feeding kids.

Why not try one? Find out more at the recycle works and read about how the government is concerned about food waste on the Defra and Independent websites.