Last year Cheltenham residents recycled 50.2% of all waste produced in the borough. As a result, Plan B - the council's recycling re-sale partner - will donate approximately 5,200 items of food to Cheltenham's foodbank in the next 12 months.

This is due to the council's recycling contract with Plan B Management Solutions at the beginning of March 2023 for the reselling of recyclables collected by the council's kerbside service.

As part of the contract arrangement, Plan B Management Solutions are committed to supplying an equivalent number of items to Cheltenham's foodbank each year to match Cheltenham's recycling rate. The more waste residents recycle, the more food items will be donated to support those most in need.

The initiative supports the council's ambition to increase its recycling rate and reduce food waste.

Cllr Iain Dobie, cabinet member for waste, recycling and street services, said: "I am delighted we are working with Plan B Management Solutions as well as helping to support Cheltenham's foodbank. Anything we can do to reduce food waste and increase our recycling rate is important in supporting our climate change ambitions as a council as well as supporting those most in need in our community.

"I would like to thank residents for their recycling efforts and ask them to keep going as I think we can do even better.''

Cllr Flo Clucas, cabinet member for safety and community, added: "With the rising cost of living and donations to foodbanks going down recently, food item donations are needed now more than ever. Please do donate if you can afford to do so and by recycling as much as you can you will be helping those most in need.''

Maz Akhtar, managing director at Plan B management solutions, said: "We are pleased to be working with Cheltenham Borough Council and continuing our ongoing commitment to support the local communities within the areas we operate. It is a privilege to be working with Cheltenham Foodbank in addition to the other food banks we support across the UK, including Gloucester City Council."

Cheltenham Foodbank  is a project founded by local churches and community groups and works together towards stopping hunger in the borough. Clients who are in crisis bring their voucher to the foodbank centre where it is redeemed for nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to help solve their longer-term problems.

Pictured: organisers and volunteers from Plan B, Feed Cheltenham, Elim Church and Cllr Flo Clucas.