Householders are now adding 100 tonnes of plastic bottles a month to their purple topped bins. That equates to 2 million plastic bottles which would have gone to landfill.

Speaking today, Steve Mitchell, General Manager for Veolia said: “The new recycling service is going well and it has been good to see residents embracing the change. Our community engagement team has been out and about across the Borough in supermarkets, garden centres and other public places and have been encouraged by the positive responses from the public about the new service.”

Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, Employment and Skills, said: “The increase of 7% is an excellent start to the new service operated by Veolia and the 2 million plastic bottles is a staggering amount. The increase in the amount of recycling means that the Council has avoided over £150,000 of landfill costs so far this year. I am delighted to see this increase in participation and look forward to seeing it continue. I would like to thank all our residents for their response to the new service.”

Residents in the Telford & Wrekin area have also been issued with a recycling collection day calendar which gives information of when their bins should be put out.

Compared to the same six month period last year, an additional 1.700 tonnes has been sent for recycling – saving the council more than £150,000 in landfill costs.