Waste not want not is the new mantra in Merton with 96 per cent of those on the food collection pilot scheme saying they were happy with the service.

The scheme, piloted in 10,000 homes, will be extended to an additional 30,000 houses between June and September and an 10,000 extra by March 2011.

The extra 10,000 has been funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) due to the success of the pilot.

Chris Lee, director for environment and regeneration at the council, said: “Making it easier for our residents to do their bit for the environment demonstrates our continued commitment to cutting waste in the first place, and minimising the amount we send to landfill."

The pilot, which started six months ago, has already collected 400 tonnes of waste for food recycling.

Some 89 per cent of survey participants agreed the outside lockable bins worked well, with 79 per cent saying they were happy with the kitchen food caddy.

Eighty-six per cent agreed the amount of waste in their normal bin liners decreased and 67 per said their streets were cleaner since the service began.

Merton Council expects its recycling rate to 38 per cent over the next two years.