HOUSEHOLDERS in West Devon are off to a 'fantastic start' with the new waste collection scheme with recycling collections increasing more than ever, according to the borough council.

Residents have responded enthusiastically to the collections service from the borough council introduced over the last few weeks. New materials which can now be collected are coming in by the lorryload.

The borough says people may have noticed that recycling rounds are currently taking longer than usual due to increased volumes and because of a slightly different operational method. The collection times should settlle down over the next few weeks.

New items that can now be recycled in green boxes include plastic bottles, spectacles, batteries, mobile phones, and textiles. 

This is in addition to continuing to collect card, paper, glass bottles and jars, food tins and drink cans, and aerosols. Food waste is also collected weekly. Green waste and bulky card is being collected on an alternate weekly basis with household refuse being collected on the other week of a two-weekly cycle. 

Almost every household will have now received an additional green box for easy storage of the new items.

Due to the increased number and volume of items that can now be placed in green boxes let the council know if you would like an additional box.

Cllr Robert Sampson, chairman of the borough council's environment and community committee, said: 'The response to our new system has been really enthusiastic. 

'Where there have been problems, they have been the result of the success of the scheme, and should be resolved as things 'bed down'.'

If you  have any queries, contact the council on 01822 813600 or email [email protected]">[email protected]