With so much food waste generated over the festive season, West Oxfordshire District Council is helping residents recycle more by providing additional food waste containers, as well as encouraging a greater take-up of the service.
Anyone wanting an extra food waste container can collect one directly from the Council’s Town Centre Shop in Witney, Guildhall, Chipping Norton and Town Hall, Carterton.
Food bin liners or recycling boxes can also be picked up for free.
Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “Sadly an astonishing amount of food is wasted at Christmas, rather than reused or recycled.
“Recycled food is put to good use generating electricity and liquid fertiliser for farmland, which is why we are so keen to encourage more people to use our weekly collection service, rather than placing their unwanted food in the household rubbish wheelie bins.
“Anyone wanting to take up the service or needing additional food waste containers can pick up a caddy or food bin directly from us so that they have them in time for Christmas. Remember that turkey carcasses, vegetable and fruit peelings can all be recycled as food waste.”
Official figures from WRAP (www.wrap.org.uk/food-drink ) estimates that £810 worth of food is thrown away by the average UK family each year.
Additional recycling containers can also be ordered online at www.westoxon.gov.uk