Gloucester City Council wants to remind residents that from the middle of January people will be able to recycle corrugated cardboard, perfect for getting rid of present packaging.

Gloucester residents will be able to recycle corrugated cardboard at home for the first time from January 2017. New reusable blue recycling sacks are being delivered to homes during the first two weeks of January, on collection day and will be placed in green recycling boxes, so it is important boxes are put out during this time.

The new blue sacks can be used from 16^th January. Collection day calendars were sent out in November advising residents that their collection day may have changed.

The new and improved recycling scheme means residents will now be able to recycle corrugated cardboard, mixed plastics, textiles and shoes, including pizza boxes, packing boxes, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, plastic fruit and vegetable trays and old clothing which is not suitable for charity shops. This is in addition to the current collection of glass, cans, paper, batteries, cartons, aerosols, plastic bottles and food waste. The change is as a result of a public consultation with residents earlier this year when Gloucester City Council asked what people would like to change about waste and recycling in the city.

Recycling collections, including food waste, will continue to be collected weekly, but residents should double check their calendars as their collection day may have changed.

If residents live in a flat that has communal recycling bins, the way their recycling is collected won’t change at the moment, but the day their collection is done may have changed and they should check their collection calendar.

Households who feel that an additional recycling box is needed can order it online at https://forms.gloucester.gov.uk/recyclingbox/. For any other container orders or enquiries please e-mail heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk.

Cllr Richard Cook, cabinet member for the environment at Gloucester City Council, said: “We are continually looking at ways to work more efficiently, look after the environment and reduce the amount of waste Gloucester sends to landfill.

“I am really pleased that soon homes will be able to recycle even more and I would urge everyone to get involved, especially those that may struggle with overflowing waste bins.”