Weekly food waste collections improve recycling rates, reduce waste disposal costs and remove the parts of waste that are responsible for bad smells as well as rat and seagull attacks.

The Green Party argues that food waste collections could also be used to generate heat and power. A process for dealing with food waste, known as anaerobic digestion (AD), creates methane gas which can then be used to generate electricity and heat. This can be used to heat and power community buildings or a network of households.

Exeter Green Party has launched a petition calling for the introduction of weekly food waste collections and is urging residents in the city to sign up and support the campaign.

Andrew Bell, Green Party policy officer and candidate for St David’s ward, said:

“This clearly provides a solution to the concerns some city residents have about fortnightly bin collections. It will also have huge environmental benefits by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, improve the city’s recycling rate and provide the potential to produce clean green energy. I hope residents in Exeter will sign our petition so we can show the city council the strength of support for this”.