Food caddies for the new 123+ waste collection service will start to be delivered to residents in the Stratford District Council area, in preparation for the start of the new service on 1 August 2022.

From Tuesday 19 April, two food caddies will be delivered to over 62,000 households, over four weeks together with an information booklet explaining how the new waste collection service works.

Residents will be provided with a small 7 litre caddy and a larger 23 litre external food waste bin. The small caddy is designed to be kept in the kitchen for collecting food waste, which can then be transferred into the external food waste bin for collection.

The external food waste bin is designed to be stored outside and has a lockable lid to contain any smells and prevent vermin getting in. The food waste will be collected every week which will also help to prevent smells.

Climate change portfolio holder, Cllr Ian Shenton, said: “Although the new food caddies are being rolled out, please be patient as residents won’t be receiving them all at the same time.  Delivery to all households is expected to be over a four-week period.

“The new food waste recycling service will make it easy for people to recycle their food waste every week. This will help remove any smelly waste from refuse bins and leaving more space for other rubbish.

“From August, we will no longer be collecting food and garden waste together.  It is much cheaper to compost garden waste if it is separated from cooked and raw food waste."

UK households waste 6.5 million tonnes of food every year, 4.5 million of which is edible. The average family of four can save over £60 per month by reducing their food waste.

For hints and tips on how to make the most of leftovers, plan your shopping and meals and make your food last longer, visit lovefoodhatewaste.com