RECYCLING rates could soar to 70 per cent when a new waste collection service is launched in June.

The new harmonised collection scheme will be based on a kerb-side sort system, which will be rolled out across the former Vale Royal area before anywhere else in the borough.

It will allow households to recycle glass bottles and jars, mixed paper, cardboard, food and drinks cans, aluminium foil, mixed plastic food packaging, textiles, food and beverage cartons, household and car batteries, spectacles, small electrical items mobile phones, cooking and engine oil, printer cartridges, garden waste and kitchen waste, from their doorstep.

Residents will be issued with two recycling containers and a kitchen food caddy, which will be collected weekly. A bin for garden waste and household waste will also be provided and will be collected fortnightly.

The new system, provided by contractor May Gurney, aims to maximise recycling, increasing rates from 50 per cent to 63 per cent, while making savings of up to £1.58m.

Details of the new service were revealed at a community forum meeting in Winsford on Wednesday.

Jodi Sheratt, of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The main aim of the scheme is to increase recycling to more than 63 per cent but we are hoping to push this up to 70 per cent.

“We also want to improve customer service. Essentially, employees will be working on smaller rounds and hopefully we will be getting back to a ‘pride in patch’ attitude.

“We want to make sure that containers are put back properly and wheelie bins aren’t left in the middle of drives.

“We will also be installing cameras on the side of vehicles so we can follow up any complaints.”

However, residents at the meeting expressed concerns over the issue of enforcement and said some people could find the new scheme ‘confusing’.

“Enforcement is an issue and a real grey area,” Jodi added.

“We won’t be forcing anyone to recycle but if May Gurney doesn’t hit its 63 per cent target they lose money and will have to pay for extra landfill site.

“We are doing some work in Chester where there are a few problems with enforcement - the majority of the time we work with those families and the issue is resolved.

“With the new system, if anyone is putting the wrong items in their containers they will be left behind along with a not explaining why.

“In the past we have just taken items, so people don’t realise what they are doing wrong, this scheme will be different in that sense.”