RECYCLING and refuse collection services are being improved thanks to funding won by Middlesbrough Council. 

Last year the council was one of 85 local authorities to bid successfully for a grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government to maintain weekly general refuse collections.

The award of more than £3.5m will help to maintain weekly collections for five years as well as enhancing the town’s recycling and green waste collection services.

Improvements will include changes to collection rounds and the introduction of wheeled bins for both dry recycling, including glass, cans, paper, plastic and cardboard, and garden waste.

The roll-out of the new service is due to start in August, with completion expected in December.

Councillor Nicky Walker, the council’s executive member for environment, said: “We know how much people throughout the town value both their weekly collections and the ability to recycle their green waste.

“This new system should be easier, cleaner and safer both for residents and for those who collect the bins.

“Increased recycling rates will not only yield important environmental benefits but also provide a real saving for the public purse as collection of recyclables costs substantially less than disposing of general waste.”