PLASTIC bags for food waste caddies will soon be introduced in Blaenau Gwent after the authority became the latest to get rid of compostable ones.

It means residents will be able to reuse their old bags such as bread, frozen food or cereal bags to line their food waste caddies.

Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils have already made the switch after it was discovered that the corn starch bags currently used cannot be composted.

The move will save Blaenau Gwent council between £25,000 and £30,000.

Council bosses say the authority will use up the remainder of their corn starch supply before rolling out new plastic bags in the summer.

Using plastic bags also reduces the amount of food waste that sticks to liners and means more can be recycled.

Agrivert, the contractor for Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent councils, says compostable bags had to be sent for incineration as conditions at the plant where food waste is sent do not allow for them to breakdown.

Thin plastic liners are said to offer a more "more cost effective solution" and are also easier to remove from the food waste.