Medway residents have recycled more than 26,000 tonnes of waste in the past eight months - equivalent to the weight of 84 jumbo jets.

Since Medway Council started weekly recycling collections in October, householders are recycling a 27% more of their waste than they did last year.

Figures show Medway residents recycled a total of 26,765 tonnes between October and May. This compares to 20,972 tonnes of all waste collected being recycled in the same period the year before - almost 6,000 tonnes more.

Weekly collections were made possible by a £14 million government grant. Previously paper, card and plastic recycling was only collected on alternate weeks, with brown wheelie bins for garden waste picked up in the weeks in between.

Since the new collections were launched, the council has delivered caddies for food waste to more than 100,000 homes.

Medway Council said food recycling has been boosted since a special offer on compostable caddy liners was introduced at libraries in the Towns. Twenty-six liners can be bought for £1.50.

Since sales began in February, almost 3,000 rolls of liners have been sold, which would hold around 108 tonnes of leftovers - the same weight as an adult blue whale. The council says this is saving cash as composting waste is around 50% cheaper than disposing of the same material in landfill.

Cllr Phil Filmer, who is in charge of frontline Services, said: “Weekly collections have made it easier than ever before for residents to recycle and we are extremely pleased to see an increasing number of people getting involved.

“The council has several recycling schemes so Medway can do its bit for the environment and I urge people to make full use of the excellent service.”