Food waste makes up about 30% of the average household waste bin. By using separate food waste collection, you will free up space in your rubbish bin and help cut down on the amount of waste going to incineration. The secure plastic caddies should also reduce the attraction of wildlife to regular rubbish bins.

The new food waste containers will be delivered to all households in Hastings, together with instructions on how to use them. Each home will be given a small food caddy to keep in their kitchen and a larger food waste container for outside, to be collected weekly. You will also receive a roll of compostable liners to get started. Only food waste contained within compostable liners will be collected.  

If you use communal bins, you will receive a small kitchen caddy and a food wheelie bin with a special lid for your communal bin area for shared use. If you have individual bins in a bin store area and there is enough space, you will be given your own outside food caddy.  

For those already composting their own vegetable waste, the service can be used for any food waste you would not normally compost such as plate scrapings, meat and bones.

Food waste will be collected weekly from the end of March and you will receive a letter confirming the collection day before collections begin if it is on a different day to your rubbish and recycling collections.

Your outside food container should be placed at the boundary of your property by 7am (or 6am where this is already required) on the day of collection, or at your usual collection point. Collection crews will then empty the container.

The food waste will be turned into high quality soil conditioner called Pro-Grow to be used on local farms. It will also be available to buy at household waste recycling sites.

To find out more about the new food waste service visit the FAQs page hastings.gov.uk/waste_recycling/food-waste/faqs

Residents arriving at the Hastings Household Waste Recycling Site are now being asked for their booking confirmation and proof they live in the county with identification such as a photocard, driving licence or Council Tax bill.

The aim of the booking system is to help reduce misuse of the sites by traders and out-of-county residents. ESCC claims that it will save the taxpayer £50,000 a year.

Cllr Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment, says: “The new booking system is quick and easy to use, and residents will be able to book a visit on the same day or any time up to two weeks in advance.”

She goes on to explain: “The misuse of our sites costs the taxpayer, and, at a time when the council is facing increasing financial pressure, the money saved will help us protect services. As well as saving money, the new system will help us better manage queues at busy times and improve operations and safety.”

Around half the councils in England now operate a booking system including West Sussex, Kent and Hampshire. Feedback from these councils is reported to be largely positive.

There will be no change to what can be disposed of at the household waste recycling sites and no additional charges for East Sussex residents above the current charge for non-household waste: hardcore, soil, plasterboard and asbestos. Non-East Sussex residents can still book to use the sites subject to an out-of-county charge.

Unsurprisingly, local reactions to the booking system appear to be mostly unenthusiastic so far, given that, at last year’s public consultation on the booking scheme, only 9% of attendees were in favour. Cllr Dowling says: “I know there has been concern about the impact the booking system will have on incidents of fly-tipping, but neighbouring councils have reported no increase since introducing their systems.”

Some residents have complained that the new system has not been widely advertised, and one person was concerned that it involves too much planning ahead, with last-minute slots difficult to book at weekends. On the other hand, several posts report that the system is easy to use and that the Freshfields site has been less busy since bookings were introduced.

The quickest and easiest way to book is by going online, although those who need help to book can call 0345 6080194. For more information, go to eastsussex.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/booking-system-background