RESIDENTS in North Herts will join others across the county this summer when recycling services are brought in line with other councils.

There have been calls for more than a year to introduce plastic kerbside collections in the district, but North Herts District Council (NHDC) had said it couldn’t be done.

It has now backtracked on that claim, and councillors approved changes to recycling arrangements last Thursday.

Although other recyclable items are currently collected, residents have to take their plastics to recycling banks.

Cllr Judi Billing, who had asked for the introduction of kerbside collections a year ago on behalf on the Labour group, welcomed the move.

“We were told it couldn’t be done because plastics are worthless,” she told the Comet.

“It will be so marvellous not to have to go out and take plastics [to a recycling point].

“Obviously, I’m delighted. It’s good news.”

Eight out of 10 councils in Herts currently collect plastics from people’s houses. It prompted questions as to why North Herts could not do the same.

The details of the changes are yet to be confirmed, but NHDC said it was likely they would take effect this summer.

Cllr Peter Burt, portfolio holder for waste, recycling and environment, said: “We continue to make every effort to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by improving our recycling arrangements, controlling the growing cost of waste while protecting the environment. The changes to our waste and recycling service confirmed by full council last week will help us achieve this.

“The kerbside collection of plastics will be part of those changes, something that people have requested for some time now, and we are pleased to now be in a position to do this in a way that offers value for money to people in North Herts.”