IT seems the humble recycling box needs a little more respect after West Devon Borough Council revealed some of the ways they are being misused.

The containers cost up to £5 each and recent research has shown that too many are being thrown away or used for other things – meaning unnecessary cost to council tax payers.

The council has come up with the top five list of misuses:

1.    Toy box

2.    Pet food storage

3. Growing vegetables or herbs

4.    Rubbish bin

5.    Filling with concrete to hold up bollards.

Cllr Robert Sampson, vice-chair of the council's community services committee, urges residents to treasure their recycling boxes and sacks: 'If everyone, took care of their recycling containers and used them to their full potential, we could save about £18,000 per year — that's a direct saving which could help keep council tax down or be used for a better purpose. 

'Add to that the extra financial and environmental savings from recycling more and it becomes quite obvious really.'

As well as recycling boxes in a variety of sizes, the council also provides households with kitchen food caddies and garden wastes sacks.

The council's waste development manager, Jane Savage, said: 'Some people do not realise the problems caused by misusing their recycling containers.

'They cost money to replace and as demand increases the cost to council tax payers goes up, as does the length of time it takes to deliver new ones.

'All the recycling containers supplied by us remain council property and people who misuse them could be charged or have them withdrawn.'

Residents who move house are also being reminded to leave their recycling boxes with the old property as the containers are issued to the address rather than the person.