STOCKTON Borough Council is one of the first authorities in the country to offer an alternative recycling method to kerbside collections.

The installation of an underground multi-container recycling system has taken place.

Funded by Defra, the three ECO6 systems have been installed at Hume and Nolan House at Stockton and Kennedy Gardens, Billingham.

Local residents will have the convenience of separating at the sites, thereby reducing general household refuse going to landfill or incineration.

There will be a safe and secure storage for paper, three coloured glass, drink cans and newspapers and magazines.

The underground containers will reduce noise when glass items are deposited, to provide a more discreet and aesthetically pleasing recycling storage solution.

The waist high receptors encourage the appropriate recycling material to be deposited; the low level receptors make recycling easier for the elderly and disabled.

A bespoke reusable recycling bag has been designed for residents and funding and publicity material received.

All the residents have been issued with these bags and signage has been placed on each floor to remind residents to recycle as much of their waste as possible.

Council officers urge the residents to make use of these modern facilities and they will be monitoring the impact they have on recycling percentages.

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "This is a step forward for Stockton as these systems have a great future and will help us to achieve the recycling targets set by the Government.

"The Council is committed to giving every resident in the Borough the opportunity to recycle regardless of where they live."