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Councillor Anne Court with a food digester

BOROUGH residents are being urged to come forward and claim one of hundreds of cut-price food waste digesters that are up for grabs.

Earlier this year, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council announced plans to set aside £30,000 to enable households across the borough to get their hands on a Green Cone - a device, similar to a compost bin, that breaks down household waste - at a heavily discounted rate of £15.

If all the cones are claimed and used, council officers estimate residents could prevent around 125 tonnes of waste from going into the borough's bins each year.

Unlike composters, which can only take green waste, all types of food can be placed in the cone.

The device must have its base buried in the ground and be placed in a sunny spot in the garden to work most effectively. The cone then naturally breaks down the waste.

Manufacturers claim the average household using one of the digesters will cut down on black bin waste by up to one fifth.

The discount offer is being supported by the council as part of its Love Food, Hate Waste campaign, which aims to encourage everyone to think about the amount of food they buy and then throw away.

Around 300 of 1,000 cones up for grabs have already been ordered, so residents wanting to get one are encouraged to act quickly.

Councillor Anne Court, Cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: "By offering residents the opportunity to buy cut-price food digesters for their garden, we are hoping that they will stop sending so much food to waste and, at the same time, help to save the environment."

Residents can claim a Green Cone for £15 by calling 0800 731 2572 or visiting www.basingstoke.gov.uk

10:33am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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