NEW recycling boxes, which will save the Southend Council £22m on waste over the next 15 years, will soon be landing on residents' doorsteps.

From Monday, May 9, Southend residents who live in single occupancy homes will receive blue recycling boxes, while multiple occupancy houses and flats, will receive a role of blue bags in order to separate recyclable material.

The changes mean that residents will put paper and card into the new blue boxes and bags separately, for collection by council waste contractor Veolia.

Currently, all recycled waste is put in pink sacks where paper and cardboard waste is mixed with food packaging, tins and cartons.

The new recycling service will mean that there will be less contamination and vehicles will also be “split body”, each with a compartment for paper and card as well as a compartment for pink recycling sacks.

Veolia were successfully awarded the contract to collect Southend’s household recycling and waste last year and took over from Cory in October.

The council said the separation of materials, collected by Veolia, will have an increased value when it is sold on for reuse because the material will not be stained.

The increased income from the sale of recyclables means that the cost of the council’s waste contract with Veolia will be lower, making savings for the council.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, said: “These important changes will help us deliver an improved service at a lower cost at a time when the council is facing ever-decreasing budgets.

“Indeed, these changes are contributing towards the council being able to save several million pounds against its previous contract."

Westcliff resident David Webb, 40, of Fairmead Avenue, has welcomed the introduction of the 55-litre capacity boxes.

The Westcliff Community Association member added: “If it makes for a better quality of paper and cardboard and increases recycling further, then it is a win-win situation.”

Coinciding with the new boxes being delivered, recycling and waste collection days are due to change from a five day collection week to a four day collection week- Tuesday to Friday.

The change means that while some residents will have their collection day changed, it will be more productive with many bank holidays falling on a Monday- there will be a reduced catch up.

To check delivery dates and when your collection dates will change, visit southend.gov.uk/info 

All your questions answered about the new recycling changes

My neighbours have all received their boxes but I haven’t, what should I do?

Contact Southend council by visiting their website on www.southend.gov.uk/recycling

What can’t be placed in the blue paper and card recycling box?

Glass bottles and jars, household plastic packaging (including plastic film), plastic bottles and lids, and drink cans and food tins should continue to be recycled in your pink sacks. Kitchen roll, tissues and heavily food stained card and paper should be disposed in black refuse sacks.

How big is the paper and card box?

55 litres. The dimensions are approximately 53cm by 41cm and will be delivered with a lid.

Where do I place my blue paper and card recycling box for collection?

You can continue to place all of your containers, including your blue box, at the boundary of your property.

What will happen to my paper and card after it is collected?

The paper and cardboard will be sent to a re-processor where it will be made into new products.

What should I do if my paper and card recycling box becomes full before collection day?

You can contact Southend council to request an additional box. With large boxes, flatten them and place them next to the blue box.

Visit visit www.southend.gov.uk/recycling for more details and details on how to contact the council.