A new recycling and waste collection starts in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich areas in September and leaflets detailing the changes are now being delivered to homes.

The district council has joined Shepway District Council and the county council for the project, which aims to save the partnership around £4m a year, said Dover District Council press officer Andy Steele.

He added: "We are making sure we get the message across when it comes to telling residents with special four page leaflets being delivered to homes across the district."

The new service will be phased in across the district, starting in September, and people will be able to recycle more plastic and put all food waste out for weekly collection.

Roger Walton, Dover District Council director of environment and corporate assets said: "The service has been shaped by what local people have told us. Now our job is to make sure that we tell residents how and when the service will change, and we have an externally-funded communications campaign to help us tell people all about it."

The changes will include the use of wheeled bins, wherever possible, for the collection of a greater range of recyclables, and for the fortnightly collection of the waste that people previously have not been able to recycle.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, district council cabinet member for environment, waste and planning said: "We would like to assure people that they will receive full information well before the new service starts.

"These important changes mean we will be able to recycle significantly more, save resources, and work together even more effectively to protect the environment for the future."

The new service will be rolled out on a round-by-round basis. Alternative collection methods will be used for homes that cannot have wheeled bins. For more information visithttp://www.dover.gov.uk/