THIRTY-EIGHT extra tonnes of waste have been recycled in Mendip since the launch of the Recycle More service.

Nine extra tonnes of plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays have been recycled during the first week.

There was also a 35 per cent increase in the number of steel cans recycled.

Somerset County Gazette:

NINE TONNES: Piles of plastic at the Evercreech depot in Mendip

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) believe the numbers show a "solid start" to the scheme.

SWP managing director, Mickey Green, said: “It’s early days but these numbers show a really solid start and one that we are building on.

“It’s great to see the extra recycling coming back to the depot. That is what this is all about, materials out of the rubbish and into recycling, so they can be turned back into products and packaging.”

Somerset County Gazette:

SUCCESSFUL: 38 extra tonnes of waste has been recycled thanks to Recycle More

Rubbish bins and sacks are now being collected every three weeks in Mendip.

Recycle More means extra items can be added to recycling collections, including plastic pots, tubs and trays, cartons including Tetra Paks, small batteries and small electrical devices.

To check your collection day visit somersetwaste.gov.uk

Somerset County Gazette:

FAMILIAR SITE: The new blue bags used for recycling across Mendip