Wheelie bin collections will begin in June with the collection of recycling every fortnight and food waste every week.

Weekly collections of black sack rubbish will continue.

The aim of the scheme is to raise Gravesham’s recycling rates from 25%. It is also hoped it will cut down on the number of scavenging animals ripping open black sacks.

The improvements will affect about 41,000 homes.

People will be asked to use recycling bins to collect paper, plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, food and drink cartons, tin cans, aerosols and foil but not for glass.

The food caddies are for all food waste but not packaging.

About 80% of the homes will be getting a 3ft tall recycling bin, while a new service for flats will be introduced sometime in 2015.

Households not getting a bin will continue to use clear sacks for recycling. The food caddies will be provided to every home.

Gravesham council received almost £5m after bidding to the government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme.