Waste not want not ... and we want you to help save cash and the planet!

Throwing away food is costing local households an estimated £430 each year according to the latest statistics.

It is also costing cash-strapped East Dunbartonshire Council, as it must pay to send the rotting grub to landfill.

From next April a new weekly food waste collection will aim to change that.

Council leader Rhondda Geekie said: “In addition to the cost per household of wasting food, there is a cost to councils to dispose of it as food waste is currently sent to landfill.

“That will change in East Dunbartonshire from next year when we introduce our weekly food waste collections.

“Whilst we would encourage all households to look at reducing waste, particularly food waste, our food waste collection scheme will ensure that food waste no longer goes to landfill but is recycled.

“This will have the double benefit of reducing our landfill disposal tonnages and increasing our recycling rates, helping us to achieve the challenging targets that have been set in these areas.”

The weekly food waste collection is being brought in next April. There will be an alternate weekly collection for recycling and remaining residual waste.

Full details on the changes will be communicated to residents in the New Year – including a detailed information leaflet and a series of roadshows.

Residents will have four bins for different types of refuse and a food waste ‘caddy’ with a hinged lid so it is vermin-proof. A similar set-up is being introduced in North Lanarkshire.

There was a mixed reaction from local residents when plans were revealed in September.

However, the council believes the new system will be a success and wants people to rally round.

* The Scottish Government has launched a national food waste campaign to highlight the £1billion food waste bill which Scotland faces.

Statistics suggest that one fifth of the food and drink we buy ends up being thrown away.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The new food waste reduction campaign aims to benefit people across East Dunbartonshire by providing help and advice.”

Visit www.greenerscotland.org for details.

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