Monday 15th March 2010
Households in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Renton, Alexandria, Balloch, Gartocharn and the surrounding areas will soon be receiving their kitchen caddies and compostable liners so that they can start recycling their food waste from 12th April 2010.
The small kitchen caddy is designed to help residents store their food waste before emptying it into their brown bin. Compostable liners are being supplied to be used with the caddy so that cooked and uncooked food waste can be placed into the caddy and when full, the liner can be placed directly into the brown bin. As the liners are compostable they will break down during the recycling process.
Food waste can also be wrapped in newspaper and again placed directly into the brown bins. However, ordinary plastic bags cannot be used for food waste as these do not break down during composting.
Most people don’t realise how much food their households produce, but on average Scottish households waste nearly £10 worth of good food every week. Being able to recycle food waste in the new alternate weekly waste collection scheme will not only help households see what they throw away, but also prevent more waste going to landfill, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help to create a useful compost product.
Councillor Jim McElhill, the Council’s spokesperson for Environmental Services and Economic Development said: “It’s great news that residents in Dumbarton and the Vale can now recycle food waste. A recent report states that UK residents throw away more than 4 million tonnes of food each year. At present this is all sent to landfill where it is left to decompose.
“Careful planning when shopping for fresh produce and the recycling of food waste will benefit the environment and reduce the amount the Council pays in landfill tax. I would urge everyone involved in the trial to give it their full support.”
For more information on how to reduce your food waste please visit www.wasteawarelovefood.org.uk. For more information on the new collection scheme please call the recycling helpline on 0845 111 0050 or visit www.wdcweb.info/waste-services.
