TORRIDGE District Council is introducing a cardboard and an electric item recycling collection service to 100% of households in the district.

From April 1, 100% of Torridge residents, not just those with green wheelie bins, will be able to recycle their cardboard. All households will be supplied with brown bags to put their cardboard in, which can be left out for collection on the same day and time as their green box and bag, cans, bottles and papers.

At the same time, residents can put out small electrical items for recycling as well. The service for recycling electrical items is already in place.

Torridge's lead member for waste and recycling, Cllr Chris Leather, said: 'This is really good news and a great opportunity for the council and local residents to improve our recycling rates even further. I am very pleased that every household in Torridge will be able to take advantage of these new services to recycle cardboard and small electrical goods.

'It will mean a slight change in the way people recycle — cardboard must be put in the brown bags from April, not the green wheelie bins, and put out with the green box and bag, but the long term results will be well worth it.'

Managing director at South Molton Recycle Karen Penfold said: 'Brown bags for cardboard recycling will be delivered to all households in March.

'Small electrical appliances can be placed inside an ordinary carrier bag next to the green box. There will be no other changes to the recycling schedule and everyone's collection days will remain the same.'

Examples of electrical goods that can be left out for collection are kettles, toasters, irons and other small kitchen appliances, video players, DVD players and remote controls, radios, MP3 players and speakers, cameras and chargers, small electronic toys, remote control cars and hairdryers.

For more information call 01769 573081.