COMPOST bins are being made available at a cut price to encourage people to start the new year with recycling.

Across Teesside, councils have joined forces with Recycle Now and Wrap (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) to get more people to recycle kitchen, household and garden waste.

When placed in a bin bag, organic waste is taken to landfills where it produces greenhouse gases.

By diverting organic waste to home composting bins, the waste can be recycled into a useful product that will make gardens flourish, while also reducing the harmful gases.

By starting next month, officials say, come the summer, there will be a supply of nutrient-rich, homemade soil conditioner for better blooms.

A variety of items can be used in the compost bins - fruit and vegetable peelings, dead flowers, grass cuttings, egg shells, pet hair, coffee granules, toilet roll innards, teabags, the contents of a vacuum cleaner. Even shredded bank statements and bills can be added.

To help residents get started, the Wrapscheme - in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton - is selling compost bins for as little as £10.

Residents can log on to www.recylenow.com/home_ composting or call 0845-077-0757 to find out what compost bins are available in their area.