A NEW recycling and waste collection service for householders living in the northern area of West Devon starts next Monday. (September 27).

The new service from West Devon Borough Council is being introduced in Okehampton, Chagford, Hatherleigh, North Tawton and surrounding villages.

Over the last few days new containers for recycling have been delivered to all households, along with information explaining when and how the changes will work.

If anyone is experiencing problems they can call the council on 01822 813600 for advice.

For the first time, householders will be able to recycle all plastic bottles in their green boxes which will be collected weekly at the kerbside. Other materials that can also now go into the green boxes include textiles, batteries, mobile phones and spectacles.

Also, for the first time, all householders will be able to benefit from the food waste collection service. Food waste, which locally generates electricity for the national grid and produces compost for local farms, will again be collected weekly at the kerbside along with the green boxes. Extra food waste containers have been delivered to areas who have previously not received the service.

Garden recycling bags are also being delivered to households who are new to the service. The bags, in which bulky cardboard can be recycled, will be collected every other week. The garden waste and bulky card is recycled on farms locally.

The new service means households will see a drop in non-recyclable waste, and rubbish sacks will be collected every other week alternating with the garden waste collections.

The council says the service will save tax payers more than £1.7-million over the next seven years.

It will also bring environmental benefits reducing the amount of waste going into costly and scarce landfill by more than 1,000 tonnes per year. It currently costs £48 to landfill a tonne of household waste in Devon. This is due to rise to £72 a tonne by 2013. The new scheme will save around £450,000 in landfill costs as well as improving the environment.