Spelthorne Council is delighted to announce the introduction of a weekly food waste collection starting on 24 October. It is reinforcing waste policies to minimise the amount of rubbish sent – at rising expense – to landfill and also to increase recycling.
The introduction of the alternate weekly waste collection service in 2007 has significantly improved recycling rates and the introduction of the food waste collection service later this year should push the levels further up. However the Council is concerned that a significant amount of rubbish that could be recycled is put in the general rubbish bin.The Council is, therefore, putting in place a set of guidelines that will help residents understand, clearly, what can and cannot, be recycled and also increase the efficiency of the service.The key points are:
only rubbish placed in the dark green bin with the lid closed, will be collected
bins should be at the kerbside at latest, by 6am on the collection day
recycling must be free from materials that cannot be recycled such as plastic bags. If the wrong things are put in the bin, it cannot be collected.
stickers will be placed on bins where the wrong things have been put in
extra recycling (lighter materials not glass) can be collected from the side of the recycling bin if left in a plastic bag. Glass should always be in the recycling bin
food waste caddies and bins will be issued to all residents suitable for inclusion in the new service
outdoor bins for food waste should be placed at the kerbside for collection in the normal way with the handle in the upright position
food waste must be wrapped, either in newspaper or a compostable liner
bins not placed at the kerbside at the right time will not be collected until the next scheduled collection day
composting will continue to be encouraged as an alternative way of dealing with food waste.
A full description of the food waste collection service – what can and cannot be collected, as well as some questions and answers can be found on our food waste page.Councillor Robert Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment commented: “It is essential that our residents are aware of the serious cost implications of not recycling as much as possible. “We have been aware, for some time, of residents’ concerns about food sitting in bins for two weeks and this service will deal with that.“The more rubbish we produce, the higher the disposal cost to Council Tax payers. These measures will help reduce that burden to residents through increased recycling and less rubbish going to landfill.“We have already made a lot of progress and improved our recycling rates greatly but more still needs to be done. I am sure our residents will work with us to continue this progress.”Clearing up 'use by' and 'best by' food labelsUse byYou will see 'use by' dates on food that is perishable (goes off quickly), such as smoked fish, meat products and ready-prepared salads.Don't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine. This is because using it after this date could put your health at risk.If food can be frozen, its life can be extended beyond the 'use by' date. But make sure you follow any instructions on the pack.Best before'Best before' dates appear on a wide range of frozen, dried, tinned and other foods.Except in the case of eggs, 'best before' dates are about quality, not safety. When the date passes, it does not mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture. Remember to follow the instructions on the label.More information on food labelling can be found on the web-site link below:www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/food-labelling-terms.aspxA lot of money can be wasted throwing food away that is perfectly usable so using food properly is very worthwhile.Other advice on used by and best before dates (external website)Media enquiries to the communications team on 01784 446297/444260.
