Over 8,000 properties in Pembrokeshire have now received a free compost bin with the remainder on their way.
The bins are part of a pioneering scheme to promote home composting and cut down on the amount of waste sent to landfill sites.
Pembrokeshire County Council is to distribute 30,000 free bins across the county aimed at encouraging people to deal with their garden and kitchen waste in a more environmentally friendly way.
The council's home composting officer, Paul Watkins, said sustainable waste management was now one of the top priorities for all local authorities in the country.
"The lack of landfill space throughout the UK and the need to manage waste more sustainably has forced the Government to get tough," he said. "Each authority faces ever increasing landfill charges together with increasing recycling, composting and waste reduction targets - which carry severe financial penalties if not achieved. If we are fined it could effect all our pockets as council tax payers.
"The answer is to act now and for us all to take responsibility of the waste we produce."
In order to help meet the new tough recycling/ composting targets all local authorities have been given a Sustainable Waste Management Grant to develop the appropriate infrastructure and services.
In addition, seven county organisations - under the banner of the Pembrokeshire Community Recycling and Energy Partnership (PCREP) - secured £1.5m funding from the European Objective 1 programme and Welsh Assembly Government to fund a number of waste and recycling initiatives under the Strategic Recycling Scheme, including the Home Composting Campaign.
As well as free bins, householders will also be given information packages about composting with volunteers on call to assist and give advice.
"Home composting of green and vegetable wastes is the single most effective waste prevention measure that local authorities can promote according to the Assembly Government as it reduces the amount of household waste collected that ultimately goes to landfill," said Paul Watkins.
"Unfortunately, over the years we have created a 'throw away society' and although it takes a bit of effort to change our habits we have to start now."