AROUND 1,300 households in Newport will be able to put out food waste for weekly collection when a much-anticipated recycling trial begins next month.

A decision to start collecting refuse on a fortnightly basis in the city was first taken in 2004.

Cardboard and garden waste is picked up on alternate weeks and recycable materials, including paper, glass and tins, are taken away every week by Newport Wastesavers.

But food waste is a major part of what is taken away to the tip.

Some people were also unhappy that it was left rotting in bins for up to a fortnight.

However, the authority has looked for a way to turn leftovers into something useful.

From mid-March, a specialised Wastesavers lorry will follow dedicated routes in Rogerstone, Riverside, Baneswell and Maindee.

Households involved in the trial have received notification and will also have a detailed user guide as well as new food caddies and liners for their kitchen scraps.

If it proves to be a success, the council hopes to roll-out the scheme to the rest of Newport in manageable stages.

Councillor Ray Truman, cabinet member for community safety and sustainability said: "Food waste is now the central focus of our recycling campaign, and I am extremely pleased to see this trial come to fruition.

"It is the result of 18 months of hard work by the council and Wastesavers, and we hope that our residents will now help us to drive the scheme forward".

Approximately 14,000 tonnes of food waste is land-filled ever year in Newport. Reducing it will also cut the level of harmful gasses it produces.

Similar to home composting, the food waste collected through the trial will be sent to Wormtech in Monmouth.

The waste will be turned into compost.

STREETS IN THE TRIAL

Rogerstone: Hunter Close, Johnston Close, Sward Close, Ruskin Avenue, Holland Close, Rolls Walk, Royce Walk, Paxton Walk, Bentley Close, Kent Close, Scott Walk, Barry Walk, Mountford Close, Wood Close, Wood Crescent, Soane Close, Roberts Close, Waterside Close, Waterside Walk, Delius Close, Grindle Walk, Gaudi Walk.

Riverside: Rudry Streetm Tregare Street, Llanvair Road, Llanvair Mews, Corelli Street, Collier Street, Courtney Street, Crawford Street, Morgan Street, Turner Street, Clayton Street.

Baneswell: St Mary's Street, St Woolos Road, Graham Street, St Julians Street, St Woolos Place, Jones Street.

Maindee: Bedford Road, Harrow Road, Rugby Road, Eton Road, Marlborough Road.