The first batch of bins has been delivered to homes in the Canterbury district as the city council begins to roll out a controversial new system.

People in Whitstable were first to receive theirs today in preparation for a new service that requires residents to sort their waste themselves.

Homes will be given a total of six bins and boxes to sort waste, recycling and glass into.

The authority hopes recycling will increase by up to 20% when the scheme comes into force.

Most people will be given a landfill wheelie bin, a garden waste wheelie bin, a counter-top food caddy, an overflow food bin, one for glass, plastic and tin and a container for “residual waste”.

The system will be modified for people living in flats and areas without good outside access.

It will be introduced across the district in stages between Monday, June 3, and the end of August.

Residents will receive their county council-funded bins two weeks before the scheme comes into effect in their area.

To find out when your street will receive its bins click here.