The project, which is in partnership with Bristol City Council and SITA, involves around 2,000 students at six of the halls of residences participating in food waste composting collections. Each hall kitchen has been supplied with internal and external food waste caddies.  On collection of the caddies, the food is turned into soil-enriching compost that helps to save the destruction of peat landscapes.

To date, over 30 tonnes of food waste has been redirected from landfill sites, which is the equivalent in weight of 60 bananas per student at the participating halls.

Martin Wiles, Head of Sustainability at the University, said: “The scheme has been extremely successful to date, not only in terms of helping the University reduce its impact on the environment but also in engaging staff and students to actively care for the climate.”

Sean Spencer-Wort, Bristol City Council's Recycling Officer, said: "We are very pleased to see the Council's already successful food waste recycling programme extended to the University of Bristol halls of residence. Together, we can help reduce the amount of this waste that goes to landfill, and we look forward to continuing to work with the University and SITA, to roll this scheme out to the remaining halls later this year."

The scheme will be expanded from September 2010 with all of the remaining two halls and selected accommodation sites included.