SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is celebrating the efforts of residents and staff in weekly recycling collections amassing an extra 3,644 tonnes.

The 14 per cent increase since weekly collections began in June 2017 marks a successful first year of the council’s new waste strategy, with 3,350 tonnes less waste having been thrown away since the smaller black wheelie bins were rolled out earlier this year.

While some experienced some ‘inevitable teething issues’ with changes to the service, the council said that the overwhelming majority are now sorting their recyclables effectively and with a renewed focus on recycling more, putting less in their smaller black bins.

The changes are designed to deliver a less wasteful and more environmentally-friendly service, maximising value for money for residents.

It has been found that 52 per cent of the average households black bin rubbish could actually be recycled from home. Putting recycling in the black bin increases costs, affects our recycling rates, and wastes valuable resources.

The council developed their Waste Strategy 2015-2020 to meet new financial and environmental; targets to increase our recycling rates, reduce the cost of collecting and disposing of landfill waste.

Main changes in the new waste strategy included collecting all recycling every week instead of every fortnight, reducing the number of containers by giving residents with green boxes reducing the combination of boxes and bags.

Changing the 240 litre black bins for non-recyclable waste to 140 litres was another change to further encourage recycling and promote waste reduction, with the council also providing discounted reusable nappy kits and bags for disposable nappy waste to help parents with children in nappies manage their waste.

Weekly recycling collections started on June 19 last year with a new fleet of collection vehicles.

The black bins were exchanged over 12 weeks from January this year, with the council removing the old 240 litre bins and delivered 111,000 new smaller bins, which continued to be emptied every two weeks. The old bins were recycled to make new containers.

In addition to the headline figures, the council say they have found that almost all of the recyclable items we collect have increased since weekly collections started. Cardboard and food waste tonnages have shown the biggest improvement with an extra 1,407 tonnes of card and 1,162 tonnes of food collected.

Cllr Paul Hughes, SGC cabinet member for communities and tourism, said: “I want to thank residents and our staff who have contributed to the success of our new approach so far.

“The significant reductions in landfill waste being thrown away and the significant increase in recyclables collected not only provides better value for money for the community, but means we are doing our part to reduce our environmental footprint for our growing population.

“Our waste collection services are among the most visible that the council provides; it is one of those things that we do that everyone takes part in. We have learned a few lessons along the way, but public engagement has been constructive and the way the community has played its part has helped to ensure the success we can all share in now.”

The council have asked residents to keep items separate in green boxes to prevent collection crew delays, line food bins with a plastic bag, compostable liner or newspaper to prevent spillages, cut up large pieces of card so they are no bigger than the green box or bag and rinse recyclable packaging that contained food.

The council have asked for any households struggling to cope with the system to visit southglos.gov.uk/sortit or contact the council for help and advice.