In a crackdown on high levels of recycling contamination residents' bins will be slapped with stickers in one Kent borough.

From Monday, council officers and bin crews will be placing yellow 'warning' labels on offending bins during recycling collection weeks in Ashford and Tenterden - stating the load will not be emptied until the incorrect items are removed.

Ashford Borough Council has launched the campaign to tackle an increase of incorrect recycling in the borough and maintain its reputation as one of the top 10% of local authorities in the UK for recycling.

Four loads of recyclable waste were rejected at the material recovery facility earlier this year and were instead transferred from the waste plant to be incinerated and turned to create energy.

The rejected loads contained food waste, nappies, sanitary waste and other miscellaneous items.

The scheme was last rolled out in 2015, as part of the council's efforts to crackdown on poor recycling habits across the borough.

The campaign has been visible on social media over the past weeks, and staff have been speaking with residents before the stickering commences next week.

Cllr Andrew Buchanan, portfolio holder for environment and land management, said: "We want to assure the residents of Ashford that this isn’t a form of punishment.

"Rather it’s a way to ensure we are not forced to lose any additional good quality recycling from the majority of residents who are trying hard and doing the right thing.

"We’re currently at a 56% recycling rate so most people are doing it correctly. We want to support those residents and their brilliant efforts. Improving recycling rates is a big step in helping the borough to become even more environmentally friendly."

Tips for recycling in Ashford and Tenterden

General waste

• The grey refuse bin is for waste that cannot be recycled and is collected every two weeks

• Plastics, sanitary waste, nappies, crisp packets, sweet wrappers, polystyrene, cotton buds, pet waste and toothbrushes is classed as general waste
• Electrical waste, rubble, paint, clinical or hazardous waste should not be put into the refuse bin

Recyclable waste

• The green bin is for mixed, dry recycling and is collected every two weeks
• Glass bottles and jars, cartons, cardboard packaging, plastic bottles, elastic pots, tubs and trays, paper, newspapers and magazines, tins and cans, kitchen foil and aerosol can all be recycled
• Plastic sacks or carrier bags should not be used in the bin
• Any excess recycling can be placed next to your recycling bin in a clear sack or cardboard box

Food waste

• The black and orange food caddy is collected every week with your refuse or recycling bin
• Meat, fish and bones, fruit and vegetables, teabags, bread, pasta, eggshells, dairy products and leftover food can all be placed into this bin
• Plastic bags, liquids or oils, packaging, garden waste, recycling and general waste should not be put into the food caddy

Garden waste

• The council's chargeable garden waste service costs £37.50 per year and runs from June, 1 to May, 31
• Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, small branches, weeds, leaves and dead plants should all be placed into the brown waste bin
• Plant pots, turf and soil, household or food waste, building rubble, paints and liquids and logs and tree stumps will not be accepted

Visit the council's website for more information.

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Read more: All the latest news from Tenterden