Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 20th March 2025 Issue no. 1154
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Care home's journey to sustainable food waste management
Mayfield House Care Home, a well-established provider of residential and dementia care in Crewe, has long prioritised the happiness and wellbeing of its residents. With over 24 years of experience and a strong reputation for quality care, it is also committed to being a responsible member of the community. This commitment led it to partner with Keenan Recycling to revolutionise its approach to food waste management, achieving remarkable environmental and operational benefits.
Before joining forces with Keenan Recycling, food waste management was a significant challenge. Food waste was disposed of in general waste bins, contributing to higher disposal costs due to its weight. The lack of a structured recycling process limited the organisation’s ability to align with its sustainability goals.
Motivated by a desire to adopt environmentally friendly practices, management decided to explore food recycling solutions. Encouragement from staff who had experienced food waste recycling in other settings also played a role in initiating this change.
The collaboration with Keenan Recycling has been transformative for Mayfield House, delivering tangible benefits across several areas.
Weekly food waste collections ensure that its waste is diverted from landfills and processed through anaerobic digestion (AD). This process generates clean energy and compost, reducing the care home's carbon footprint.
Remarkably, the energy generated from the recycled food waste powers two British homes for an entire year or keeps 11 televisions running (for three hours daily) for the same period.
Rod, the kitchen manager, shares his enthusiasm: "Keenan Recycling collects our food waste once a week, and it's made such a difference. Knowing that the food waste is going to be composted or turned into energy is really motivating. It's great to think we're helping the environment rather than just throwing things into the bin.
"The staff and residents have responded really well. Once they understood that food waste recycling helps create energy and compost, they became more mindful about what they throw away. It's nice to see people taking it seriously.
"We've also started to see changes in how we manage food in the kitchen. Now that we're more aware of food waste, we've been able to adjust our purchasing and preparation. We've cut back on over-ordering, which means less waste and fresher food overall. It's been a win-win.”
By transitioning to food waste recycling, Mayfield House has reduced the costs associated with general waste disposal and reaping the benefits of adopting a structured recycling programme.
The partnership has fostered a cultural shift among staff and residents, who are now more conscious of food waste. This behavioural change has even influenced personal habits, as staff report increased recycling at home.
Kara Hume, Manager at Mayfield House, notes: "I know that recycling food waste helps us be more environmentally friendly. That was one of the main reasons we decided to go for it. It's been a real mindset shift. Personally, I now separate waste at home, and I've seen the same awareness grow among our staff and residents."
Enhanced awareness of food waste has improved inventory management in the kitchen, reducing over-ordering and ensuring fresher meals. The care home has also streamlined waste segregation processes, contributing to better food safety and hygiene. These efforts were recognised during inspections, earning Mayfield House a 5-star Environmental Health rating.
This initiative has reinforced Mayfield House's commitment to sustainability. The care home plans to expand its recycling efforts to include vegetable oil and cardboard, further reducing its environmental impact.
Participating in Food Waste Reduction Week highlighted the broader impact of the organisation's efforts, sparking conversations about reducing waste and adopting sustainable practices. The partnership has positioned it as a leader in sustainability within the care sector.
Grant Keenan, managing director at Keenan Recycling, emphasises: "Short-term investment in food waste management can yield significant financial and environmental benefits in the long term. By adopting these processes early, care homes like Mayfield can prepare for the incoming Simpler Recycling regulations while reaping immediate rewards."
Rod encourages others in the care sector to take the plunge: "If you're considering food waste recycling, just do it,” he says. “It's professional, saves money, and is good for the planet. Keenan's reliable service has made a real difference for us."
Mayfield House's partnership with Keenan Recycling demonstrates how sustainable waste management can drive positive change, from cost savings to improved operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. As it expands its recycling initiatives, Mayfield House sets a shining example for other care homes to follow.
6th February 2025