A TOTAL of 3,000 low energy lightbulbs have been donated to six food banks and charities across Essex.

The scheme was started when Essex County Council was given 3,000 light bulbs from one of its contractors, Signify, as part of their corporate social responsibility work linked to the roll out of LED street lighting.

The Sustainability and Resilience team asked colleagues how best to use the free light bulbs and the bright idea of passing the bulbs to food banks came to light.

Councillor responsible for environment and waste, Simon Walsh, personally delivered 1,150 light bulbs to the Colchester Foodbank.

Other organisations that received the bulbs were Essex Fire and Rescue, Extra Support for Families, The Salvation Army, Walton Foodbank and Virgin Care.

Simon Walsh said: “This is such a positive scheme, as we are lowering the energy use, and thus the energy cost, for some of the most vulnerable members of our society and supporting fantastic charities at the same time.

“If any other people or businesses have other unused or surplus food and appliances they should contact their local food banks, charity shops or online reuse sites, to reduce waste and re-distribute resources to people who could really benefit from them.”