Plastic recycling sacks will no longer be collected by Canterbury City Council.

The clear bags were used by all residents until last summer, when the authority introduced a new scheme with wheelie bins and boxes for paper, card, plastic and tin cans.

Most homes across the district have been using the new bins since then, but a small number continue to put their recycling out using the old sacks because they do not have enough space in the containers.

From the start of next month, waste contractor Serco will no longer take rubbish in the sacks, because its new recycling depot does not have the technology to separate the different materials inside.

The council’s executive member for the environment, Cllr Rosemary Doyle, says: “We have had excellent feedback from residents about the new recycling scheme.

“In particular, people love the fact we now take glass from the kerbside, meaning no more trips to the bottle bank.

“However, some households are still using the old sacks. This might be because they do not have enough capacity and are using the sacks for extra room, or because they do not like the new bins and boxes.

“For a tiny number, it could be because they did not get their new containers and haven’t been in touch to let us know.

“If you did not get your containers, or are finding you do not have enough capacity and would like to request extra bins or boxes, contact our contractor Serco and they will deliver more to you.

“We want to encourage as much recycling as possible, but unfortunately this will not be through the use of clear sacks from the start of February.”

Anyone who does not have space for the recycling wheelie bins has been given a red box for paper and card and a blue box for glass, plastic and cans.

To request additional bins and boxes from Serco, call 0800 031 9091 or email environmentalhelpdesk@canterbury.serco.com.