A MAJOR shortage of pink recycling sacks has led to residents being told to store their recycling in black rubbish bags until next week.

Castle Point Council has had to order more pink bags after high levels of recycling over Christmas caused a shortage.

Residents trying to obtain more sacks from the council have been told to fill black sacks with recyclable items such as plastic, cans, paper and cardboard, until more pink bags arrive.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the opposition Canvey Independent Party, said: “We’re getting calls from fed-up residents who have been advised to put their recycling in black sacks for the time being, which is no good.

“Surely they knew huge numbers of recycling bags would be needed over Christmas and should have ordered more in advance.

“This is really going to knock their recycling targets.”

A spokeswoman for the council said new green, blue and pink sacks will be delivered to all households in the borough early next month.

Green sacks are used for garden waste and blue bags are for clothes.

Black sacks are normally just for general rubbish that cannot be recycled.

The spokeswoman added: “Castle Point Council would like to thank all residents for their great efforts with recycling.

“Residents are so enthusiastic that we have had to ask our pink sack supplier to bring forward the delivery of the next supply of sacks to cope with the demand from residents.

“A delivery of pink sacks is due within the next few days.”