RESIDENTS in Mid Devon will soon be able to recycle even more if Mid Devon District Council approves the Cabinet's plans to change its recycling scheme.

The new scheme will allow households to recycle more types of plastic and cardboard, benefit from weekly food waste collections and sign up to an optional garden waste service.

Cllr Neal Davey, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Residents often tell us that they want to recycle more, such as all types of plastic.

“This new scheme will do this for all households in Mid Devon rather than just 80% of households who are currently on all schemes.

“We know due to funding cuts that the council won't be able to do everything in the future but we are focusing on residents' priorities and we know waste collection is important.”

The new scheme will be introduced from October 2015 in phases and households will be provided with detailed information packs to let them know what's happening and when.

Food waste will be collected each week from a kerbside container - with a handle and lockable lid - provided by the council, free of charge.

The container can be used for all cooked and uncooked food including meat, fish, tea bags and banana skins.

The food can be wrapped in compostable liners, paper, or can be left loose - and the containers will be easy to handle and clean.

Cllr Davey said: “After much consideration we think this scheme is fairest as residents won't be charged unless they subscribe.

“Many people who have gardens have the option to compost at home or they can take waste to the nearest recycling centre.

“There may also be a community composting group near you, or you may consider starting one.”

Plastics such as all plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays and yogurt pots will be able to go in your recycling box with the plastic milk bottles already collected.

Instead of being composted, cardboard will be collected with your other recyclables also in your recycling box.The garden waste collections will be fortnightly, using brown bins.

This subscription-only service will be chargeable in order to cover costs.

The level of annual charge has yet to be determined.

If a household opts in to the service, the district council will give them a bin sticker so collection crews know they have subscribed.

Councils are not legally obliged to collect garden waste free of charge, and many other councils either don't offer a service or they make a charge for it.