The new service will begin for the first phase of households next week, with a second phase rolling out in September.

Cllr Martyn Hooton, South Norfolk Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

The delivery of 28,000 food waste caddies is a huge step forward as we prepare to launch this important new service for residents. Food waste collections will help us recycle more, reduce the amount of waste going into general rubbish bins and ensure valuable resources are put to good use.

"Instead of being thrown away, food waste will be turned into renewable energy and fertiliser, delivering real environmental benefits. I'd encourage residents to start using their caddies as soon as their collections begin and play their part in helping us create a cleaner, greener South Norfolk."

The first phase of the rollout will see around 28,000 households receive a small kitchen caddy, a 23-litre outdoor food waste bin and liners, with weekly collections beginning the week commencing Monday 27 July. Food waste will be collected on the same day as residents' existing rubbish and recycling collections by a dedicated food waste collection vehicle.

Residents will be able to recycle a wide range of food waste items, including fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, meat, fish, bones and out-of-date food. The collected material will then be processed to generate renewable energy and produce nutrient-rich fertiliser.

The introduction of the service is part of the Government's Simpler Recycling legislation, which requires councils to introduce weekly food waste collections and collect a consistent range of recyclable materials.

Households not included in the first phase will receive their caddies ahead of the second rollout, which starts from the week commencing 28 September. The service to communal properties will be rolled out shortly afterwards.

Residents can check when their collections will begin using the postcode checker.