By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 16:08, Wednesday, 13 August 2008

CARD and plastic bottles are now being collected for recycling by Copeland Council from 10,000 homes.

Following a pilot scheme in south Whitehaven, the collections will begin on Monday, September 1.

The card and plastic bottles will be collected fortnightly from the Whitehaven area. After a few weeks Frizington, Asby, Cleator, Arlecdon and Rowrah will also be added.

The scheme has created three new jobs.

The card and plastic bottles will be collected in separate bags, on the same day of the week as the householder’s ‘black box’ collection (although this could be on an alternate week). Leaflets are being sent to homes to explain individual arrangements.

A survey conducted by the Council showed 73 per cent of people wanted to have plastic collected from their homes, and many asked for card too.

The council wanted to respond to this and now a third of the borough’s households will benefit from the new collections.

Copeland’s portfolio holder for recycling, Geoff Blackwell, said: “It is great news that we can offer this improved service to so many people. People have told us they are keen to recycle card and plastic so hopefully it will add significantly to the amount of recycling we can do as a borough.”

All the homes getting the new service are receiving information through the post to explain how to use the new service.

The cost of setting up the scheme has come from South Whitehaven Cleaner Safer Greener funding. The ongoing costs will be met by the Cumbria Waste Partnership.

Householders receiving a leaflet and wanting to know more can call the Council on 0845 0548600.