162 tonnes of food waste has been collected by Bournemouth Borough Council in the first month of their weekly new food waste collections.
Councillor Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for waste, said, “We’re delighted that so many people are using the service and their new food waste containers. The more people use it, the more food waste we can divert to make high quality compost and to generate electricity. It also reduces the amount money we spend on disposing of general rubbish, which means it is available for other front line services.”
Bournemouth households who have a general rubbish bin and recycling bin were automatically issued with a kitchen caddy and food waste container to put out for collection. Residents who live in apartments and have communal bins had to sign-up for the service. Larger families have been able to request larger containers.
The weekly collections of the separated food waste are on the same day and made using the same vehicle as the general rubbish in the Little Bin. This is made possible by having specialist collection vehicles, which have a ‘pod’ on the side to collect food waste as well the back compartment for rubbish.
Uncooked vegetables, fruit waste and eggshells can be put into the new food waste containers as well as cooked food, meat and fish bones, and food that is no longer edible, which can’t be put into a compost heap. The separated food waste will be treated so that, for example, cooked food and bones, break down much more quickly and can be used as a high quality soil improver.
The service was funded from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Weekly Collection Support Scheme, which aims to help Councils improve waste and recycling performance further without introducing fortnightly refuse collections.
Reg Hutton, Head of Operations for waste, added, “Our crews were involved in the development of the service, and they have adapted well to the new vehicles and new ways of working. We’re very proud of the waste and recycling service we provide, and the all the staff who provide it. The funding from central government has helped us to continue to enhance our service to residents.”
Further information and updates are also available on the Bournemouth Borough Council website at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/foodwaste and on Facebook www.facebook.com/recycleforbournemouth. Residents can also call 01202 451199 for further information.
Residents who would like to find out face-to-face about the new service can meet waste awareness officers on Saturday 19 April from 11am to 4pm at the Easter Family Fun Day in Boscombe Chine Gardens.
