Food waste bins could be rolled out across Portsmouth following trial sucess

Since September last year around 4,800 homes in the city have been using food waste caddies, which saw a 20 per cent reduction in black bag rubbish.

As part of the scheme the leftovers are taken to a plant in Bournemouth for treatment where they are converted into biogas and used to generate electricity, heat or transport fuels as well as a fertiliser for agriculture.

Based on the success of the trial Portsmouth City Council will consider rolling it out across all homes.

The council's environment boss, Councillor Dave Ashmore, said: 'These food waste trial results are fantastic.

'It is great to see the uptake in the trial with 175 tonnes of food waste sent to recycling.

'We are committed to do whatever we can to reduce waste and recycle more and the residents' commitment to recycling has been extremely positive.

'I am excited to see the results of the second half of the trial. Thanks to the Portsmouth communities for doing such a great job.'

The trial, which covered homes in Drayton, Cosham, Somerstown, Old Portsmouth, Portsea, Southsea, Eastney and Baffins, will run until March when a decision on whether to make it city wide will be made.

Two caddies are provided for each home - a small one for the kitchen and a larger one for collection.

Items that can be put in the caddy include all uneaten food and plate scrapings, teabags and coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, egg shells and cut flowers. It can’t be used for liquids or packaging of any kind.

The trial covered around 8,000 homes but only 60 per cent took part.