The Bournemouth area is upping its green credentials.

Thanks to Bournemouth Coastal BID and a Covid grant from BCP Council, an electric vehicle is collecting food waste and coffee grounds from hospitality businesses along the BID’s coastal area.

The waste is then emptied into a machine on top of Boscombe’s Sovereign Centre, which turns it into top quality compost.

This is then used in community projects to grow plants and vegetables.

Fiona McArthur, manager of Bournemouth Coastal BID, said: “We were able to secure a ARG3 grant from BCP Council which enabled us to invest in this electric vehicle.

“The green machine has a variety of uses, one being the collection of food waste and coffee grounds from our levy-paying businesses.

“The vehicle also has a power hose so staff can clean signage and also remove graffiti.

“It will be on the road across our areas which run from Tuckton and Hengistbury Head to Westbourne.

“Improving the environment is something our levy-payers have asked us to do and this is just one small area of our work.

“Through this scheme Coastal BID businesses are supporting their communities and helping produce vegetables for food banks.”