Residents taking part in South Kesteven District Council’s experimental food waste recycling trial are being thanked for their help in making it a success.
The scheme, which serves more than 4,000 homes across South Kesteven, is being paused at the end of March ahead of the findings of a Government Consultation which is expected see the collection of food waste becoming mandatory.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Adam Stokes, said: “Given the tight budgetary outlook, Council has supported a proposal that food waste collections are suspended until the national food waste collection service requirements are rolled out nationally.
“Significant further investment would have been needed to continue into 2022/23, including either ongoing maintenance or replacement of two vehicles, so the service will pause from Friday 1 April.
“This is ahead of Government legislation that paves the way for a national scheme. We are awaiting DEFRA’s response to their consultation conducted in Summer 2021 and for future requirements and timescales – which may be later than previously anticipated.
“SKDC will keep the situation, both local and national, under review and bring forward proposals as appropriate when DEFRA confirms the requirements.”
The scheme initially benefited from Lincolnshire County Council funding, which has since ceased.
Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Cllr Mark Whittington, said: “I would like to place on record our thanks to residents for embracing the trial and making it such a success. It has been a positive trial in many ways, and we couldn’t have done it without their support.
“The co-operation and enthusiasm of those taking part means that this council will be in a strong position to reintroduce and expand the service when the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs progresses the Environment Act 2021 and fully funds such a service.”
SKDC Council leader Cllr Kelham Cooke said: “We have been leading the way in looking at how food waste can be reduced and reused to generate energy and I echo Cllr Stokes’s appreciation in the way our residents have embraced the big changes to their habits that this brought about.
“However, we need to be financially responsible with our budget and our ambitions in terms of what we can deliver.
“We acknowledge the continuing challenges for local authorities nationwide and are optimistic about 2022/23 as we look to the future after the past 20 months under the cloud of the pandemic.
“Budget setting is one of the most crucial times of the year and South Kesteven District council remains extremely ambitious and progressive about what we want to achieve.”
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