Cherwell District Council Celebrates Food Waste Success

4 November 2011

Cherwell District Council is celebrating two years of food waste collection which has diverted 8,000 tonnes from landfill

Collections began in villages to the north of the district in the latter half of October 2009 and villages in the south were added in December that year.

Bicester and Banbury both joined the scheme in March last year and flats across the district came onboard in August 2010.

The current financial year is the first full year in which all homes across the district have been able to separate food from their general waste.

Councillor James Macnamara, Cherwell's lead member for environment, said: "With a saving of £37 per tonne of food waste diverted from landfill, that's £296,000 taxpayers have saved themselves in the past two years.

"There is still plenty of food going in with the general waste and it's clear to see why we'd encourage people to make sure it is recycled instead.

"If anyone needs help or advice to do this, we'll gladly provide it along with a kitchen caddy if they don't already have one."

All types of food waste can go into the caddy for recycling including bones, shellfish shells, cooked and uncooked foods.

Food waste is then deposited in the brown bin, along with garden waste if there is any, ready for collection.

The liners can be bought at Banbury Museum or a range of stores across the district and are also available from dispensers at council offices in the following locations:
* 　　　　　　Bodicote House, Bodicote
* 　　　　　　Bicester LinkPoint, Market Square
* 　　　　　　Kidlington LinkPoint, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road

Carrier bags and even biodegradable bags are not suitable for use with food waste as they do not compost down.

Visit the recycling and waste pages in the environment and planning section at www.cherwell.gov.uk/foodwaste for a wealth of information about the food waste scheme.

For help with recycling email customer.service@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call 01295 227003.

Darrel moore