There is less than a fortnight to go until black sacks are replaced by wheelie bins across Gravesham.

Beginning on Monday, June 5, the council will be rolling out bins to homes in a bid to keep streets cleaner, ensure fewer bags are ripped to pieces by animals, and increase recycling rates.

All households that have a recycling wheelie bin will receive one for waste by the end of June.

While the day of the week people need to put their bins out will not be changing, the council’s collection team will alternate between non-food waste and recycling each week, rather than collect both weekly.

The Gravesend Messenger first reported the upcoming change back in February, but the council is keen to remind residents as the start date edges closer.

Director of environment and operations, Nick Brown, said: “Residents don’t need to do anything at the moment, they just need to wait until their bin is delivered in June. Once they have got their bin they should start using it straight away.

“Everyone on the scheme will get an information booklet and a calendar delivered with their new bin which will tell them what week they need to put each bin out on.

“They will also receive a ‘wheel of waste’ which will tell them which bin should be used for each item of rubbish or recycling.

“We’d like to remind residents that they will only get a bin for their general waste if they have already got a recycling bin.

“If they haven’t already got a bin but would like one, they can request to have one on our website.

“Residents who don’t have a recycling wheelie bin will remain on black sacks for general waste.”

Any extra rubbish will still need to be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Pepperhill and any glass items will also need to be taken to the Pepperhill tip, one of the many bottle banks at supermarkets and other locations listed in the information booklet on the council website.

Flats on communal bin systems won’t be affected by the changes.

Find out more about the service at gravesham.gov.uk/waste