NEARLY 40 per cent of a typical householder's bin in Redditch and Bromsgrove is stuffed with discarded food, it has emerged.

Councils chiefs are urging people to be more mindful of the cash being wasted after doing surveys of what people are chucking away.

Worcestershire County Council says for the normal family is now hurling around £700 of perfectly good food into their black bin every year, 37 per cent of the total contents.

As well as pushing up landfill taxes it is reducing spending power among the general public, with bosses urging people to be mindful of a longstanding campaign to try and change it.

A website called letswasteless.com is Worcestershire's one-stop shop for giving people advice on waste prevention.

There is also a 'Love Food Hate Waste' App, available for both Apple and Android devices, offering up tips like portion planners and meal diaries.

The site features cooking tips and a 'My Kitchen' option that allows users to store reminders of the 'use by' dates of food in fridges and cupboards.

Last year landfill taxes cost the county council £5 million, with that bill rising year-on-year.

Bromsgrove's Anthony Blagg, the deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: "Who wouldn't be happy having some extra cash in their pocket? The additional money saved could go towards a holiday, a trip to a music festival or the purchase of a new piece of technology.

"The best thing about the Love Food Hate Waste campaign is the tips are simple but very effective.

"The website has all the information you need and the App, which is available as a free download, is a really useful resource that people can personalise and use all the time.

"One resolution worth making and keeping during 2016 is to reduce what we throw in the bin as it's not only good for the environment but also our bank balances."