THE extension of kerbside recycling schemes could mean a big reduction in bottle banks across the Rochford district, councillors were told.

A review of recycling banks in the district's car parks is set to get under way as the council adopts a new waste contract from March.

Richard Evans, Rochford District Council head of environmental services, told the council's contracts sub-committee there could be reductions in the number of bottle banks and other recycling facilities in car parks once the new contract took effect.

At the moment, the council only recycles bottles, tins and paper, but plans to increase this to include plastics, cardboard, garden and kitchen waste from March.

Mr Evans said: "I don't want to make any recommendation at this point on the future of bottle and plastic banks until we have studied certain financial issues which have to be discussed.

"But because of the increase proposed in kerbside recycling, it may well be we shall see a dramatic reduction in the amounts which are are being put into the recycling banks at the moment."

He said the most costly contract for recycling banks was for plastic, making these the most likely to be discontinued in future.

Michael Starke, sub-committee chairman, said: "If we get this new contract right, it could mean all the recycling and bottle banks could be redundant in the next couple of years."

Chris Lumley (Con, Rayleigh Grange) said he hoped the council would maintain the clothing banks run by the Salvation Army, as he felt they were a big asset for charity.

He said the council had looked in the past at a kerbside collection for clothing, but this would not be feasible.

Mr Evans said it was planned to bring a full report on the future of recycling banks back to the committee early in the New Year.