I WOULD just like to take the opportunity to thank and congratulate officers at Stroud District Council and Simon Pickering and his task and finish group on the environment committee for their time and effort in introducing the new waste and recycling service.

I was excited to see the new streamlined truck from Ubico pull up to collect our food waste for the first time.

I am delighted that the district is now collecting food waste, after the trials in the Stanleys ended 10 years ago due to lack of finance to continue.

Working in partnership with other authorities in the form of Ubico has been a prudent strategy in these times of austerity.

It is also encouraging to note that food waste will be composted in an anaerobic digester locally, where it will be composted and the gases turned into energy to power homes and businesses, with the waste product turned into fertiliser for farmers to use on their fields.

I firmly believe that we all have a duty to educate ourselves in reducing our waste and thus helping to protect the environment.

As a family with two young children we have reduced our waste considerably over the last few years and now have less than a quarter of a rubbish bag per week – with just plastic film being an obstacle for recycling.

I have been assured by the council that they are working on addressing this issue in the coming year.

So a big well done to Stroud District Council.

Samantha George Green Party member Westrip Stroud