Scillies to extend waste scheme

The islands' residents recycle about 30% of household waste

Waste disposal experts on the Isles of Scilly say a pilot rubbish disposal scheme has been such a success on St Martins that it is being extended.

The trials were carried out to try to solve the islands' rubbish problem.

The remaining islands will now get glass crushers and every household will have a green cone "food digester" as an alternative composter.

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Officer for the islands says she is delighted at the trial's success.

The green cones simply flew out the door Liz Davey, AONB Officer

Glass bottles and jars, which make up about 30% of the waste, are crushed and used as aggregate.

The glass recycling frees up space on the rubbish boat to St Mary's for more plastics, thus helping to reduce pollution.

Liz Davey, the AONB officer, told BBC News the scheme has other advantages.

The aggregate produced by the crushed glass is used in the islands. This is cheaper than buying in aggregate and is more environmentally friendly because it does not need to be transported to the island.

The purpose of an AONB is to enhance its natural beauty

The green cones, which compost food waste and most meat bones, will be given free of charge to islanders and additional cones may be offered at a discounted price.

Ms Davey said: "St Martins was a trial, but right from the beginning the residents were behind it.

"The green cones simply flew out the door."

The £122,000 scheme is funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Countryside Agency, but run by AONB and ReMaDe Kernow.

The islands were designated as an AONB in 1975. The purpose of the designation is to help maintain and enhance their "natural beauty".