Food waste trial saves thousands of pounds

The authority said residents had saved a council more than £3,000 as part of a trial using food containers.

Slough Council said more than 30 tonnes of food waste has since been collected from residents in five areas. The trial began on July 1.

Each tonne of food waste costs £10 to dispose of, but the residual waste collected in Slough's grey bins costs around £120 to dispose of.

The authority urged residents of the test areas to use their trash cans more often and to dispose of their garbage at cheaper food waste collection points.

Residents of parts of Britwell, Langley, Colnbrook, Chalvey and the Diamond Road housing estate received the caddies in June ahead of the trial.

Councillor Gurcharan Manku, the authority's lead environmental officer, said: “Our thanks go to the hundreds of residents taking part in the food waste trial. Not only are they doing their bit to protect the planet, but they are also helping Slough save money with every tonne of food recycled.

“The benefits of food waste collection are not only financial but also environmental, as every tonne of food scraps, bones, used tea bags, fruit and vegetable peelings is converted into green energy and fertilizer.”