RECYCLING in Ryedale is due to get a boost, with new recycling boxes, spruce ups to the mini-recycling centres and a new recycling vehicle.

Ryedale District Council looks set to supply new paper and cardboard recycling boxes for each household in the district to replace recycling bags.

At a meeting of the policy and resources committee on Thursday, members approved the new 44-litre blue boxes, as well as other recycling improvements, including refurbishment of all the district’s mini-recycling centres and the leasing of another new recycling collection vehicle.

The reason for the changes is a commitment by the council last year to increase recycling in the district - and it looks likely they will be followed by even more improvements as new guidelines and strategies are being introduced by central Government.

Presenting the report to members, the delivery and frontline services lead Beckie Bennett said that the boxes are recommended to replace recycling bags, following a manual handling risk assessment for the kerbside collection service.

Costs include £75,000 for the 25,000 new boxes at £3 each, and £25,000 for improvements to the mini-recycling centres. The new vehicle and its associated costs will require £100,000 a year from the revenue budget. The costs of this were included in the recent budget passed by council, she added.

Councillors also approved a new campaign to raise awareness of the current kerbside recycling collection service provided to all residents.

Cllr Lindsay Burr said: “I think it’s really good that there are proposals to increase recycling. I hope that the next council - whoever they may be - will carry this on.”

Cllr Keane Duncan asked what would become of the redundant recycling bags after they had been replaced by the boxes. Ms Bennett said that it’s likely they would be collected up when the boxes were delivered.

The recommendations will now go to a meeting of full council next month for final approval.