Food waste collection service to be extended

25th June 2019

PLEASE NOTE: This article is over 1 year old and may not contain the most up-to-date information.
Food Waste Extension 2019

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is extending its separate food waste collection service in July to households that currently receive no collection.

A number of households in hard to reach areas of the district were unable to join the scheme when it was extended to an additional 20,000 properties in September 2017. However, with £177, 844 funding made available by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through its recycling optimisation grant fund, the Council has purchased specially commissioned food waste vehicles that can now access these households.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Siobhán Currie, said:

“With more than 42,000 households already participating in the food waste collection service the Council has seen a large quantity of food waste diverted from landfill to recycling which has significant environmental and economic benefits and we would like to thank our residents for their participation in the scheme. The Council is grateful to the support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in assisting the Council to extend its food waste collection service and we look forward to seeing participation in the scheme grow.”

Food waste is completely recyclable. Once collected, it is brought to a processing facility where it is recycled into chemical free compost and renewable energy.

A 5 litre kitchen caddy and roll of compostable liners, a 23 litre outdoor caddy which is to be presented at the kerbside on bin collection day and information on how to participate in the new service will be delivered to these households shortly.

A letter addressed to the householder and a personalised calendar will also be posted to these households at the end of June. The letter will be delivered in a white envelope with the words, ‘Important Changes to your Bin Collection’ and the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council logo.

Householders are encouraged to open their letter straight away, read it carefully and to contact the Council’s Waste and Recycling service on 0300 3030 1777 if they have any queries.

At present, food waste is collected from 42,500 households across the district through the brown wheelie bin or the food waste caddy collection service.

All food waste should be placed in the food caddy including meat and fish (raw and cooked including bones and skin), fruit and vegetables (raw and cooked), dairy products such as eggs and cheese, bread, cakes and pastries, rice, pasta and beans, uneaten food from plates and dishes, tea bags and coffee grounds and egg shells. Liquids, oil and liquid fat is not accepted in the food waste collection.

For further information on the extension of the food waste collection service or to find out more on how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, please visit the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com, download the free Bin-Ovation app or telephone the Council’s Recycling Officer, Anthea Owens on 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate) or text phone 028 8225 6216.