THE percentage of people recycling their food waste has trebled since new waste collections were introduced across the Maldon district.

Maldon District Council introduced the new recycling and collections service in June.

It saw wheelie bins and fortnightly collections introduced.

Residents have criticised the new scheme with missed collections across the district and concerns about the wheelie bins.

But the council, while admitting there were some teething problems, has said recycling has increased since the scheme was introduced.

Council Miriam Lewis said food recycling had increased from 20 per cent to 70 per cent and overall recycling from 53 per cent to 67 per cent.

In her annual leader’s speech she said: “In June we embarked on the most extensive change to waste collections that residents of the Maldon District have ever seen – having adopted a system of collection that nearly 80 per cent of councils across the UK operate.

“And this has been such an enormous change to the only council service that directly affects every household in the district on a weekly basis, new operator, new routes and IT, and a change to wheelie bins, some teething problems were inevitable.

“However, the quality of the preparation both in the Customer Contact Centre and in our Waste Team working with Suez, to support and advise residents, was marvellous.

“Admittedly, although it is early days, I am delighted to report that we have already seen an increase in food waste recycling from 20 per cent to 70 per cent and in overall recycling from 53per cent to 67 per cent.

“Well done to all involved, to staff and to our residents. I have every confidence that this positive trend will continue.”