FOOD recycling will be introduced to five towns in the region from early October.
It follows the council’s successful rollout of plastic, metal, paper and cardboard recycling across Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year.
The new service, which is already operatonal in Stranraer, will allow residents to recycle all cooked and uncooked food which would usually go in a general waste bin.
The kerbside caddies, collected weekly, are set to be delivered to houses in Annan, Dumfries, Dalbeattie, Gretna and Lockerbie starting on Monday.
They will then be given to people in flats, who will also be provided with an outside shared food waste bin for weekly collection.
Alongside the food waste container, residents will receive a supply of 52 biodegradable liners – and those living in houses will get a second larger bin.
The council explains: “Food waste should be placed in the kitchen caddy using the liners then once full, bagged food waste can be placed into the kerbside caddy, usually stored outside (or communal food waste bin for flats). Place your kerbside caddy out for collection once a week on your usual collection day.
“Replacement liners are provided as required. To get more caddy liners, tie a liner to the handle of your kerbside caddy and leave it out on collection day. Our operatives carry liners in the vehicles and will leave a new supply for you.”
The new service will reach 49 per cent of the region’s population – a figure the council says meets the Scottish Government’s statutory requirements on collecting food waste from urban areas.
The local authority adds that the journeys required to reach other towns, villages and hinterlands in the region would be both too costly and carbon-emitting to justify.
In a letter to residents who will begin using the service next month, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s infrastructure manager, James McLeod, said: “This will allow you to recycle all of your cooked and uncooked waste – even tea bags and coffee grounds.
“Using this service means food waste can be turned into valuable resources such as agricultural fertilisers and energy.
“This will allow Dumfries and Galloway Council to help Scotland meet its ambitious target of recycling 70 per cent of all waste by 2025, as well supporting the council’s mission to achieve net zero carbon status by 2025.
“Everyone has food waste – whether it’s unavoidable food waste such as tea bags, bones, eggshells or leftovers, even small amounts make a difference when they are recycled.
“Even if you think you don’t produce much food waste, why not give the new service a try – you might be surprised at how quickly your caddy fills up.”
