The composters had been offered through a pilot project that is promoted by the council and which will gather feedback through a survey from those who take part.

The exceptional response to the pilot programme has meant that the initial application phase is now closed. However, given the strong interest, the programme will be expanded and further details will be shared soon.

A limited number of composters was initially available and they were allocated on a first-come, first-served basis as long as the applicant met the criteria, including having a garden with suitable space to store it and agreeing to take part in the evaluation exercise.

Once the project has been expanded to make further composters available, an announcement will be made and more residents will have a chance to participate in the pilot.

Funding for the composters was made available through the Climate Emergency Fund.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “This pilot project will help us to understand what the attitude is towards home composting across South Lanarkshire.

“That’s why it is vital those who take part agree to be part of the consultation exercise.

“Compost can of course be used for a range of things including helping new outdoor plants and flowers bloom, fertilising lawns and creating a compost tea to provide nutrients to indoor plants.

“It also helps save money and by using composters we are turning waste into a valuable resource.”

More details on the benefits of home composting can be found on the Zero Waste Scotland website.