A CLAMPDOWN on residents dumping rubbish outside their bins is proving to be a success.

The campaign was launched after Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council introduced changes to its recycling collections.

The move, using powers under the Environmental Protection Act, follows major concerns raised by collection crews and the success of targeted action in pilot schemes which focused on the areas of Redcar, North Skelton and Normanby.

The most successful pilot scheme was in Redcar, where more than 430 properties were monitored.

Residents were first sent warning letters and then fixed penalty notices.

The improvements were conclusive, with 150 bins left out following collection before the notices were issued, but just 12 afterwards, all of which were subsequently confirmed as abandoned and then removed.

Coun Sylvia Szintai, the council cabinet member for the environment, said: “We have listened to our residents, who want us to adopt a more focused approach, targeting those areas presenting the most side waste.

“In the past, we have adopted very much an education approach, but there is an increasing problem which requires a firmer approach.

“Consultation with other councils has show this to be an essential tool to combat issues of side waste and bins being left out.”

The clampdown coincided with new recycling arrangements, which came into effect this week. Two council vehicles will collect on the same day – the first will collect glass and cans, and the second will collect paper.

Coun Szintai said: “The advantage of changing to this new method is that both vehicles – similar to refuse wagons – can carry more.

“This means less travelling time for the wagons as the number of trips to unload is significantly reduced. It also reduces the risk of contamination, resulting in better quality recycling products.”

A letter, which was delivered to all residents, explained the switch, which brings the service in-house from an external contract and will mean a slight change to collecting the green box (glass and cans) and blue bag (paper).

The letter said: “Please take your green box and blue bag to the front of your property by 7am as usual for collection and do not remove until both the green box and blue bag have been emptied by our collection teams.”

For more information, call the council’s contact centre on 01642-774774 or email contac tus@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

More details are also available on redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.