BOURNEMOUTH residents will start to receive new food waste containers in the new year, ahead of a major change to the town’s rubbish collection service.

From January 7, householders who have both big and little wheelie bins will receive a food waste container that can sit inside their general rubbish bin.

Residents will also receive a small kitchen caddy, an instruction booklet and a roll of compostable caddy liners.

Deliveries of the new containers will continue until mid-February and the new collection service will begin in March.

New dual-compartment waste collection vehicles will collect the food waste every week, at the same time as the general rubbish is collected.

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for waste, said: “We’re introducing this new food waste collection to enhance our weekly collections, reducing the amount of food waste in the rubbish stream and increasing recycling.

“Separating food waste from the general rubbish means that it can be converted into a high grade compost and the by-products used to generate electricity.”

Georgina Fry, waste and resource projects manager, added: “Bournemouth residents have proven how great they are at recycling using the ‘Big Bin, Little Bin’ scheme and with the new food waste service they can throw even less away and recycle more.”

The scheme is being funded by the government, which awarded Bournemouth council £7million to enhance its already successful waste collection service.

Bournemouth residents who live in either private, council or housing association blocks of flats with communal bins who are not yet signed-up for the new food waste collections can opt-in by calling 01202 451199 or emailing recycle@ bournemouth.gov.uk