NATIONAL Vegetarian Week is being celebrated this week and Worcestershire County Council is taking the opportunity to remind residents they can maximise the benefits of a veggie diet by composting their peelings.

The message comes as part of the council's work with householders across the county to reduce the volume of kitchen and garden waste sent to landfill. Current work sees the council using home-delivered information packs and money-saving offers to help encourage more home composting.

Waste management experts Waste and Resource Action Programme is supporting the county's Mission Impossible waste challenge with its Everyone Loves a Rotter compost bin promotion, giving residents the chance to buy a cut-price compost bin for as little as £5 delivered to the door.

Carol Trehearn, waste minimisation and promotions officer, said: "National Vegetarian Week is the ideal time for us to urge people to do their bit for the environment by turning waste such as vegetable and fruit peelings into compost."

She explained: "Home composting is one of the single most effective things that can be done to minimise household waste. It is simple, easy and contrary to opinion does not involve masses of time and effort.

"As well as vegetable peelings, other household waste such as grass cuttings, cardboard, shredded newspaper, vacuum cleaner dust and eggshells are all prime fodder for a composter. By dispensing with such waste at home rather than putting it in dustbins, householders can reduce the amount dumped in landfill. Every little bit helps."

Compost is great for the garden. It is a free resource that helps improve the soil and can reduce the use of chemical fertilisers, which can damage water-courses, and peat-based compost.

To find out more about home composting call the Mission Impossible hotline on 01905 766883 or visit www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk.