BASILDON Council is urging residents to recycle as much rubbish as possible from their bank holiday weekend barbecues.

The appeal comes as experts predict a long overdue upturn in this summer's miserable weather.

The council's recycling team has also provided a few pointers for planning and shopping over the weekend, when worries about having enough for everyone to eat can lead to buying too much food and increased waste.

These are as follows: l Buy fruit and vegetables loose, not pre-packed and look out for barbecue food with less packaging l Limit the number of throwaway products, by using proper plates and cutlery, rather than disposable ones and getting a re-usable barbecue l Remember to put all colours of bottles and jars in the glass-recycling box provided by the council l Once meat has been put on the barbecue, rinse plastic meat trays and recycle them in pink sacks l After the strawberries and cream, punnet tubs and cream containers can now both be put in pink sacks along with plastic bottles, cardboard, newspapers and magazines, carrier bags, drinks cans and food tins.

Stephen Hillier, councillor responsible for the environment, said: "Warmer weather generally leads to more waste through summer barbecues and parties.

"Forward planning, so as not to over-cater, and ensuring the glass recycling box and pink sacks are on hand means there will be no excuse not to recycle".