PHASE 1 of a Derry City and Strabane District Council-led scheme has already resulted in a significant reduction in food waste going to landfill from the council area, and the next phase should see further significant reductions.
The roll out will begin this week, with homes receiving a seven litre under the counter caddy for food waste along with a 23 litre caddy and information guides on their usage.
Householders are being asked to begin using the new bins for all food waste to ensure Council continues to drive down the amount of waste being sent to landfill, meeting new legislative directives.
Conor Canning, Head of Environment with Derry City and Strabane District Council, explained that this measure will assist Council in improving recycling and composting rates, and appealed to people to read the information supplied regarding the disposal of waste.
“We want to remind people that with their co-operation and by making a few simple changes to how we dispose of our food waste, Council can significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
“Considering the fact that it costs £45 per tonne to recycle food waste, and £76 per tonne to recycle compared to £105 per tonne for waste go to landfill, substantial savings can arise from householders recycling and composting and these then can be reinvested in Council services within the Council area.
“We would also like to reinforce the general message about recycling and the benefits to both the environment and cost saving.
“While the Food Waste scheme is progressing well, Council are still noting that non-recyclable materials are still being deposited into Blue Bins, and I would appeal to people not to dump food and other items such as nappies into the blue bins.
“There is a comprehensive list of appropriate recyclables available online to keep everyone on track.”
Encouraging members of the public to embrace the scheme, Chairman of the Environment and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Colly Kelly, said: “If you have a food caddy bin, please make sure to use it and remember that collections will be commencing on June 12th.
“Among the items you can dispose of in your food caddy bin are cooked and raw meat; fish; fruit and vegetables; all dairy products including cheese and yoghurt; eggs, bread, cakes and pastries; rice, pasta and beans; uneaten food from your plates or dishes; tea bags and coffee grounds.
“You are reminded not to put any packaging, plastic bags, liquids, oil or liquid fat in your caddy,” he said.
To find out more about the new scheme and what materials are suitable for disposal in our bins information is available online at www.derrystrabane.com/foodwaste.
Food caddies can be ordered via the website or if anyone has already been issued a food caddy, but lost or misplaced it, they can email [email protected]
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