FOOD waste collections started in Castle Point yesterday.

The caddies – a small one for the kitchen and a bigger one for kerbside collection – were sent out to homes for all food waste including leftovers, vegetable peelings and teabags.

Food waste makes up 20 per cent of the borough’s waste – more than 7,000 tonnes a year.

The council wants to cut down the amount sent to landfill.

Councillor Ray Howard, Castle Point councillor responsible for waste, said last year the council paid £16million in landfill tax and the charges had risen from £48 to £56 a tonne this year.

He said: “I am delighted to see the public are reacting extremely well and everything is going to plan. Any hiccups, we will do our best to resolve as quickly as possible”

For more information go to www.castlepoint.gov.uk/foodwaste