THOUSANDS of food waste collection bins have been delivered across Bolton as the countdown begins for fortnightly bin collections.

From April 15, Bolton Council will be introducing a new weekly food waste recycling collection.

To prepare for this, they will be delivering food waste recycling containers to 30,000 households across the borough which do not currently receive a green bin waste recycling collection service.

The food waste recycling containers will be delivered together with a kitchen caddy, a roll of compostable liners and a leaflet explaining what can be recycled.

Fortnightly bin collections will be introduced on May 13.

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for waste and recycling, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, said: “A large majority of residents already recycle food waste in their green bins and these new food containers will mean residents with small or no gardens will be able to recycle food without having to find the space for another bin.”

All the food and garden waste collected is sent to be turned into compost and it is hoped the new bins will boost recycling rate across Bolton from 31 per cent to more than 40 per cent.

Cllr Sherrington added: “We appreciate this new system will mean that residents will see changes and will need to adapt.

“Although collection days won’t change, the time the waste and recycling crews may arrive to empty bins at a different time.

“There may be some disruption as the new collections start but we are asking everyone to be patient and understanding as we are confident that the changes, in the long term, will be better for the borough as a whole.”

Residents can put any kind of cooked or uncooked waste into recyclable bags in their kitchen caddy.

The bags can then be tied and placed in the food waste container or green bin outside their house.

All containers and bins should be placed outside for collection by 7.30am on collection day.

Each household will be provided with a roll of 26 liners for the kitchen caddy.

When the liners are running out, residents should tie an empty liner around the handle of the food waste container on collection day and the crew will leave a new roll of liners.