Rother's recycling roadshow

The scheme, starting this summer, will revolutionise the way rubbish is collected in Bexhill and wider Rother.

Around 40,000 homes will get two recycling boxes - a black one for the collection of plastic and cans and a green one for paper.

Approximately 20,000 homes already have a green box for paper recycling.

In addition there will be a black wheelie bin for other domestic rubbish and a green wheelie bin for garden waste.

Rother is investing 15-20million in the scheme over the seven-year contract agreed with collection contractor Verdant.

Last Thursday's big launch saw BBC personality and Country File presenter John Craven helping to raise the profile of the new scheme.

Also making a noise were the 'Junk Funk' band Weapons of Sound. The group of wacky musicians create music using all manner of junk and featured in the opening ceremony to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

John Craven met with residents, signed autographs and explained why he's such an advocate of recycling.

Bins being delivered to Rother residents will be fitted with an ID tag, commonly known as 'chips in bins.' These are passive devices that, when scanned, reveal the house to which that bin has been allocated.

A Rother spokesman said: "They are there to protect a substantial council asset and nothing more.

"Our new collection vehicles do not have weighing equipment installed and there is no plan or desire to introduce the sort of 'pay as you throw' schemes that the national press have written about recently."

He added: "If you use the recycling scheme correctly, less than half of your household waste will go into the black wheelie bin.

"The black wheelie bin itself provides slightly more than double the capacity of a standard traditional dustbin.

"Therefore, we will collect your recycling one week, then your normal rubbish the next and so on.

"You will receive a calendar of collections when you receive your bins and boxes and we'll also list collection dates on the website."

"These new bins and boxes will be delivered between mid April and late May, starting in the south east of the district, moving north before heading back south towards Battle and Bexhill.

"Collections will commence early May and you will be advised of your collection dates when you receive your bins.

"The green wheelie bins may be delivered at a later date from the other bins and boxes.

Detailed information on the new scheme can be found on www.recycleforrother.com