THE latest changes to the recycling and waste collection service for householders living in the southern area of West Devon starts on Monday. (October 18).

It follows the introduction of the new service last month in northern areas of the borough, where householders have put out for collection more recycling than ever before.

The new service from West Devon Borough Council is being introduced in Tavistock, Yelverton, Bere Alston, Horrabridge, Princetown, Lifton and their 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. The council has a team of advisors to assist householders with the new system and if anyone is experiencing problems they can call them 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 currently only available to parts of the borough.

The 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.

Garden recycling bags are also being delivered to households who are new to the service. The bags, in which people can also recycle bulky cardboard, will be collected every other week.

The garden waste and bulky card is recycled on farms locally.

With the improvements in recycling collections, households will see a drop in non-recyclable waste, and rubbish sacks will be collected every other week alternating with the garden waste collections.