Food waste collections are being introduced across East Sussex as councils aim to cut landfill use and improve recycling rates.
The new service will allow households to separate leftover food, including fruit peelings, bread, tea bags and expired meals, from general rubbish. Collected waste will then be processed into renewable energy and fertiliser instead of being sent to landfill sites.
Local authorities say the scheme is part of wider environmental targets designed to reduce carbon emissions and tackle unnecessary waste. Residents are being provided with kitchen caddies and outdoor bins ahead of the rollout.
Council leaders believe the collections could significantly reduce the amount of rubbish thrown away each week. Food waste currently makes up a large proportion of black-bin household waste across the county.
Some residents have welcomed the move, saying it will make recycling easier and encourage people to think more carefully about the food they throw away. Others have raised concerns about possible smells, storage space and changes to collection schedules.
Environmental groups have praised the initiative, arguing that separate food waste collections are already proving successful in other parts of the UK.
The rollout is expected to continue throughout the year, with councils encouraging households to take part as the service expands across East Sussex.