A NEW pilot scheme where residents can recycle their food waste from home is set for the green light. 

The trial, being carried out as part of Northumberland County Council's drive to combat climate change and improve recycling rates, will be considered by the authority's cabinet at its meeting on June 7.  

If approved, participating postcodes in the food waste collection pilot will be notified in September and collections will begin at the end of the month.

A total of 4,800 homes across four areas of the county will each receive a caddy and supply of liners for their kitchen and an additional small sealed bin for their food waste, which will be emptied every week.  

A specialist vehicle has been procured for the food waste weekly collection scheme, which is specifically designed to collect and deliver food waste and will be operating across four areas of Northumberland. These areas have been selected for their representation of a varied range of demographics, including house types, and proximity to the operations base in Morpeth.  

Two of these areas are already taking part in the council's glass recycling trial. Their data will be key in measuring the impact where households are receiving separate food and glass collections if both trials are to be extended countywide in the future. 

The scheme will also allow the council to evaluate the feasibility of offering residents at a number of highly rural areas, a food waste compost bin recycling option, where it may not be economically or environmentally practical to send a dedicated food waste collection vehicle.  

During the ten-month trial, participating residents will be asked for their feedback on the scheme. Other detailed performance information will also be closely monitored including participation levels and the weight of waste collected per household.   

Coun. John Riddle, cabinet member responsible for waste management and recycling, said: “I am extremely pleased that we're looking to move forward with our upcoming food waste scheme.    

“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve our recycling offer as a council and aim to respond to the needs of our residents.  

“We know that reducing food waste is one of the simplest steps we can take to reduce carbon emissions and help protect the environment.

"If given the go-ahead, we’ll be closely monitoring the trial’s impact, using data to assess the impact recycling food waste can have in helping achieve the council’s goal of achieving net-zero by 2030. 

“Through the hard work and dedication of our waste and climate teams, if approved, we’ll be able to offer this scheme which we hope will benefit our residents, while helping to combat climate change and improve recycling rates.” 

The report to cabinet outlines plans for the trial, which will be reviewed after several months.

The review will be used to inform officers and members of the costs and benefits of the schemes, allowing a decision on the future of food waste recycling in the county, and the potential to introduce a county-wide food waste scheme in the future - once announcements from government for supporting food waste collections nationally in England are confirmed. 

The pilot also forms part of the council’s ongoing monitoring and review of its waste management services.