Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

WC has issued the following information.

Improvements to Wiltshire's waste collection service have been given the go-ahead following the approval of the council's budget.

The original proposal was for a 'lowest common denominator' approach across the county. However, following objections from 'back-bench' councillors, and a reassessment of the financial implications of not recycling, the administration has agreed to introduce kerbside plastic and cardboard collection across the county.

The changes should increase the recycling rate and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, thus lowering the amount the council has to pay out in landfill tax.

Cabinet member for environmental services, Toby Sturgis, said: 'Everyone in Wiltshire will now receive exactly the same service - one which will enable people to recycle so much more of their waste. We estimate more than half of people's household waste could be recycled if residents take advantage of all the services provided. The west and east of the county already have alternate weekly collections and the recycling rates in these areas are significantly higher. We want to increase the recycling rate across the whole of the county and we will work with residents to help make this happen.'

Wiltshire people currently recycle just over 40% of their waste and the council aims to increase recycling rates to 50% by 2013.

During October and November 2011 all households will start to receive a fortnightly collection of plastic bottles and cardboard, in addition to the existing fortnightly black box collection for paper, cans, glass, foil, clothes and shoes.

February to March 2012 will see the county-wide introduction of a garden waste collection service to all those who request it and fortnightly collections of all other household waste in the north and south of the county, in line with the east and west districts where fortnightly collections are already in place.

The new bins for cardboard and plastic bottles will be distributed from September, to those households which currently don't have them. All changes to the waste and recycling collection services should be completed in the spring of 2012.

Households will receive a leaflet this summer about the new service.

As a better recycling service was one of my election manifesto aspirations, I'm glad that the administration at County Hall has seen sense.