Food Recycling Prize Draw
The Food Recycling Prize Draw is coming to a small selection of properties in Uttlesford this September!
How to get involved
If you have been invited to enter the prize draw, simply put out your food recycling caddy each week on your collection day throughout September. By taking part, you will have a chance to win some fantastic prizes, including our top prize of £1,000! The winners will be contacted by post in the autumn.
Getting started
Taking part is easy – especially with the right tools! To get started, please order your free food recycling starter pack. You can select the following items:
- an external food caddy
- an internal food caddy
- a one-off roll of compostable caddy liners
Please note, the starter pack is only available to households that received a letter from us about the prize draw.
Prizes up for grabs
One winner has the chance to win £1,000!
10 runners-up can also pick a prize worth up to £100 from the list below:
- a Tiptree Tea Rooms Voucher
- an Audley End House & Gardens Family Pass
- a Colchester Zoo gift voucher
- a year's garden waste subscription
- a bulky waste collection
All prizes have been kindly sponsored by N+P.
Winners can also choose to donate the value of their prize to a charity of their choice. If you would like to donate locally, charities include Uttlesford Community Action Network, Uttlesford Food Bank, and more.
Why are we running the prize draw?
We want to help more households recycle their food. The best thing you can do is to eat your leftovers, but we know that some food waste is unavoidable. Composting your leftovers is also a great option, but some food items like bones cannot be composted. The next best option is to recycle what you can't eat in a food recycling caddy.
Recycling your food is a great option for the environment as it can be turned into green energy and fertiliser. In 2024, Uttlesford residents recycled over 3,000 tonnes of food. This recycled food generated enough green energy to power more than 600 homes! Find out more about food recycling.
How to recycle your food
1
Line your internal caddy with a liner.
Use the handle to secure the lid and store your caddy out of direct sunlight.
2
Collect leftovers and any other food in your internal caddy.
All food can be recycled in your caddy. Remember to remove all packaging.
3
When your indoor caddy is full, empty it into your outdoor caddy.
Place your outdoor caddy at the kerbside on your food recycling collection day. Please write your house number on the caddy.
What can go in your food recycling caddy
All food can be recycled, including:
- food scraps and plate scrapings
- meat and fish bones
- raw or cooked food
- mouldy food
- fruit and vegetables
- eggs including shells
- cheese
- bread, cakes, and pastries
- rice, pasta, and beans
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- even crisps, sweets, and chocolate!
Things that can't be recycled in your food recycling caddy:
- liquids, like milk and oil
- any packaging
- pet waste
- garden waste
Any questions?
Find out everything you need to know about the Food Recycling Prize Draw.
Terms and conditions
By entering this competition, participants agree to Essex County Council's terms and conditions. Essex County Council reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition at any time. Read the prize draw competition notice for more information.
Contact information
For any questions or enquiries, please contact us at love.essex@essex.gov.uk or Uttlesford District Council at wasteaware@uttlesford.gov.uk