City of York Council begins kerbside recycling across the west of the city on Monday (May 13) as residents begin to sort their jars, bottles, cans, newspapers and magazines ready for collection.

An additional 8,000 homes in the city will now be able to take advantage of kerbside recycling for a range of materials which will be collected every fortnight, on the same day as their normal rubbish collection. A recycling box and bag have already been delivered to homes involved in the scheme, along with advice on what can be recycled.

The 'Rethink Rubbish' campaign for the kerbside recycling encourages residents to recycle household rubbish and follows a successful trial of 900 homes in the city.

Derek Smallwood, executive member for the environment, said: "The council is committed to increase the amount of rubbish that is recycled across the city. By introducing kerbside recycling to an additional 8,000 homes, which begins on Monday, we aim to reduce the amount of waste taken to landfill sites.

"We know that there is a high level of support for waste separation and collection schemes by residents in York, and by making recycling as easy as possible, through boxes and bags collected fortnightly on the same day as normal rubbish, we aim to get people to 'Rethink Rubbish'.

He continued; "With each household in York producing one tonne of rubbish every year, our aim this year is for the recycling scheme to extend to 25% of York homes - that will be kerbside recycling for 20,000 houses across the city."

With household rubbish increasing at a rate of three per cent per year, the council's plans to extend the recycling scheme follow a city-wide consultation on waste management and recycling last year. The consultation found high levels of support for waste separation and collection schemes, with high numbers of people across the city willing to separate kitchen, garden and general waste for special collections.

The first phase of the kerbside recycling scheme will be focused on the west side of the city and will include areas in Rawcliffe, Clifton Without, Knapton, Nether Poppleton, Woodthorpe, Dringhouses, Hessay, Rufforth, Beckfield Lane and Acomb.

Anyone wanting more information about the kerbside recycling scheme can call the scheme's helpline on 01904 636000 or visit the council's website, www.york.gov.uk and email the team at recycling.team@york.gov.uk

Malcolm Downs of Yorwaste, said, "This new venture is made possible by a Partnership between City of York Council, Yorwaste and City of York Commercial Services, funded by Yorventure, working together to increases recycling levels."

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