Craven residents are being reminded to check they are putting the correct items in their blue recycling bins.

From June this year residents have been able to place more items in their blue bins, including a new range of plastic and foil items.

However, in recent weeks the amount of contaminated waste being placed in Craven bins has increased significantly.

Wyn Ashton, Environmental Services & Housing Manager at Craven District Council, said: “We would urge all residents to check the new stickers on their blue recycling bins, which will tell them exactly what can and can’t be placed in the bin.

“If the amount of contaminated waste becomes too high, this costs the council - and the council taxpayer – money, so we need to ensure the correct materials are placed in the bin.

“Our refuse collection crews will also be carrying out checks and warning residents if any contamination is found.

“Residents should also remember that the waste in blue recycling bins must be loose, not bagged.”

The new items which can be accepted since June include foil containers and trays, clean aluminium foil, plastic ready meal trays (as long as they are not black), yogurt and jelly pots, margarine and ice-cream tubs, fruit and veg punnet containers, cream and soup or sauce pots, and clear bubble wrap.

Stickers have been placed on residents’ blue recycling bins advising them of all the items that can be recycled – and those that can’t be accepted in the blue bin.

The information is also available on Craven District Council’s website at www.cravendc.gov.uk/recycling where a copy of the sticker can also be downloaded and printed.

There are a number of items that are not suitable for recycling. These include black plastic of any kind, any bagged waste, any food waste, paint tins or wallpaper, toys, garden furniture, bin liners, cling film or plastic film, food wrappers, crisp packets or tubes, books, and cereal plastic inner bags.

Residents are also asked to remember to wash and squash their items, and are advised that bottle tops should be placed back on plastic bottles before placing in the bin.

Craven households throw away over 20,000 tonnes of rubbish each year. The percentage of waste recycled in Craven was 44.12 per cent during April to December 2017.

There is a target in York and North Yorkshire of 50 per cent recycling by 2020. The Government is proposing that this should increase to 55 per cent across the country by 2025, to 60 per cent by 2030 and to 65 per cent by 2035.