Green Party urges overhaul of kerbside recycling service

The scheme, which is still being rolled out across the city, involves putting tins, glass and plastic bottles in the large blue wheeled bins that were previously used for paper, and putting paper and card in a new blue plastic box.

Numerous residents have complained that the boxes for paper are open to the wind and rain and are too heavy to carry. As a result, Green councillors will propose that people should be able to choose which box they use for each type of recycling.

Coun Jillian Creasy, who will put forward the motion at the next full meeting of Sheffield Council on Wednesday, December 1 said: "The current scheme is one size fits all. We think people should have the choice.

"All that would be needed would be for the bin men to lift the lid or cover and see what was in the bin or box."

However, Liberal Democrat Cabinet member Andrew Sangar said the council was already planning a review of the recycling scheme.

He said: "Now that the new service is being rolled out to the last local residents, we will look at all the feedback and assess all the options to improve the service.

"What we do know is that the new service has been extremely popular, with up to 20 per cent more people recycling and double the amount collected via the kerbside compared to the old service.

"However, we want to review the service to ensure it is as good as it possibly can be for everyone."