Residents can now use plastic bags such as carrier bags and pedal bin liners, to line their food waste bins.
West Oxfordshire District Council collects food waste every week and takes it to the Agrivert Anaerobic Digestion plant near Cassington for recycling.
The processing plant is now able to accept thin plastic bags and carrier bags as caddy liners, as well as residents placing food waste in compostable bags, newspapers or directly into their caddies. Extracted liner bags are sent to an Energy Recovery Facility, where they are incinerated, and created into energy.
Cllr Carol Reynolds, Cabinet Member for the Environment at West Oxfordshire District Council said: “This is great news as many residents tell us that compostable bags are expensive and some tear easily, which can be messy.
“We know local people are keen recyclers as last year we collected over 3,480 tonnes of food waste, but this change will help make it even easier, cheaper and cleaner for people to recycle their leftovers.”
Residents can use any type of paper or plastic liners for food waste, provided they are not black bin bags.
Food can also be put loose, straight into the caddy. However, it is important that retail packaging is removed. For example, bacon should be taken out of its plastic packet and fruit out of any punnets.
For more information about waste and recycling in West Oxfordshire, or to order a free food waste bin and kitchen caddy, see www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins or call 01993 861025.