The council has celebrated a year since recycling changes were introduced in November 2023.

Since the changes were introduced in the borough, 4,440 tonnes of food waste have been recycled.

A spokesperson said: “Thanks to your efforts, we’ve recycled 4,440 tonnes of food waste since the service changes introduced in November 2023!”

The changes were introduced due to a legal requirement for food waste to be collected and replaced the council’s bin lorries at the same time.

The new system got off to a rocky start with uncollected bins reported in the months following.

The first four weeks had a 99 per cent collection rate after the changes were introduced on November 27 but around Christmas, many bins were overflowing.

Swindon Borough Council apologised to residents and said in the new year that “lessons would be learned”.

Now one year on, the collections seem to have found their recycling rhythm. The council explained food waste is turned into fertiliser at Codford Biogas in Wiltshire.

However, to maximise recycling rates they asked residents to “remember what you can put in your food waste caddy”.

This includes: food leftovers and plate scrapings, eggs, tea bags and coffee grounds, meat and fish, raw and cooked food, bones (from meat, poultry or fish), cooking oil, lard and fats, pet food.

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