ALMOST a quarter of all waste that ends up in domestic bins in Huntingdonshire is food that has not been eaten or has passed its sell-by-date, according to county council figures. Recycling chiefs believe smarter shopping and recycling food waste would no

ALMOST a quarter of all waste that ends up in domestic bins in Huntingdonshire is food that has not been eaten or has passed its sell-by-date, according to county council figures.

Recycling chiefs believe smarter shopping and recycling food waste would not only save people money, but would also prevent additional waste from going to landfill.

The latest waste analysis for Cambridgeshire shows residents throws away 156kg of food waste each year - about 23 per cent of the contents of their bins.

Cambridgeshire County Council says that, while some of this is unavoidable, a large proportion is compostable or is food that is simply out of date.

Mark Shelton, CCC's food waste policy manager, said: "Food waste that goes to landfill generates methane.

"Not only is this a potent greenhouse gas, but it causes long term problems in the management of landfill sites, which are costly to the council and to Council Tax payers.

"Some 23 per cent of our bins is food waste and if even a small amount of this could be avoided, more money would be available to spend on other vital council services like teachers and care workers."

He added: "It is estimated that between £250 and £400 worth of food is thrown away by each household in the UK every year.