Help us reduce the carbon footprint of our recycling wagons

That's the plea from Pendle Council as it tries to make the recycling vehicle rounds more efficient.

Councillor James Starkie, who represents recycling in Pendle, explained:

"Most of our residents are keen recyclers, and now they can do even more to help by only putting out their brown bins when they are more than half full.

"There are no health issues and if the contents are washed out there won't be a smell either.

"One of the benefits of the brown bin for recycling is that you don't have to put it out every fortnight, unless it's close to getting full.

"We've done our sums on this, and whilst we realise the vehicles will still cover the same routes, the fewer bins that are emptied each day means that fewer wagons are needed.

"This helps us to reduce our carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs."

Since Pendle Council introduced kerbside collection schemes in 2005, recycling rates have shot up.

Currently Pendle residents recycle 36% of their waste.

The brown recycling bins, introduced in September 2009, have made it even easier for Pendle people to recycle, putting their plastic bottles, cans and glass bottles/jars into the same bin.

However, the recycling crews regularly have to reject the contents of some brown bins because of contamination issues.

Carole Taylor, Waste Services Manager (Policy), said:

"The brown bins are just for plastic bottles, cans and glass bottles/jars.

"However some residents put other types of recycling in there, such as paper and card.

"And they use them for all kinds of plastics, such as food trays, yoghurt pots, butter and margarine tubs and plastic bags, but we can't currently recycle these in Pendle.

"Please just put plastic bottles into your brown bin, together with your cans and glass bottles and jars."

Councillor Starkie added:

"We're lucky to have so many people who are happy to recycle in Pendle.

"Thanks for doing your bit for the environment.

"This is just one of the initiatives that we are undertaking over the course of the year that will make our Operational Services become even more efficient, without a reduction in the service that we provide."

For more information about recycling in Pendle, call the contact centre on (01282) 661743 or go to www.pendle.gov.uk/recycling