MORE than 700 homes in the more rural parts of Basildon district are set to receive recycling collections for the first time.

Basildon Council is extending doorstep collections of its pink sack and glass recycling schemes to Little Burstead, Old Nevendon Road, in Wickford, and Dry Street, Basildon.

It is estimated adding hundreds of extra homes in the district’s more leafy addresses, will prevent 250 tonnes of rubbish being dumped in landfill each year.

Terri Sargent, Basildon Council’s councillor resposnible for the environment, said: “We are rolling out recycling to homes in less densely-populated parts of the district, the majority of which fall in Billericay, Wickford and Laindon.

“This will mean families living in rural areas will be able to recycle their paper, plastic and glass for the first time.

“We hope this offers people a convenient way to dispose of their waste and saves tonnes of rubbish from being unnecessarily dumped in landfill.”

The changes will mean nearly every home in the district now takes part in at least one form of recycling.

To minimise costs, the council plans to use converted vans capable of picking up both black sacks and recycling.

Leaflets are being sent to residents informing them how the recycling service will work, ahead of the start of collections in March.

Ms Sargent said: “Every house is now able to recycle their rubbish. We are now looking at extending recycling to flats later on in the year.”