Kirklees Council has launched one of its biggest ever communication campaigns to encourage residents to reduce, reuse and recycle more of their unwanted goods and waste.

In the coming weeks, every household in Kirklees will receive a new leaflet explaining what residents can put in their various bins to maximise recycling, reduce waste and cut down on bin contamination.

The campaign is in preparation for the council starting new collections of plastic pots, tubs and trays in residents’ green bins. Those collections start on March 31.

The leaflet also contains information about the garden waste service, which residents can sign-up for until the end of April and the new Reuse facilities currently being piloted at two Household Waste Recycling Centres in the district: one at Emerald Street, Huddersfield, the other at Weaving Lane, Dewsbury.

The communication plan and launch of the new services are part of the nine-year Resource and Waste Strategy that was signed off by the council last year.

In addition to the leaflet, the council will be running a social media campaign and launching a series of videos aimed at cutting down on bin contamination.

Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet member for environment, said of the launch: “This new service marks a big milestone in our aim to make Kirklees a pioneer in green practices that help sustain the environment. It is also a landmark in the council’s strategic aim to reduce our impact on climate change.

“Most Kirklees households throw away at least 40kg of plastic each year, that’s enough to make 10 recycling bins. The UK recycles just 45% of plastics and only 32.6% of plastic pots, tubs, and trays each year.

“That’s why this council is determined to encourage residents, schools and businesses to reduce their use of and recycle even more plastics. We are confident that they will take up the opportunity to help make Kirklees a greener and cleaner place to live when this service comes on-line at the end of the month.”

Every year, people in the UK throw away enough plastic to circle the world five times. Nationwide, we use 7.7 billion plastic bottles per year. That’s an average of 117 bottles per person, per year. Eight million tonnes of the world’s plastics end up in our oceans each year, creating a garbage patch three times the size of France.

Nick Browning from SUEZ, the council’s waste management service provider, said: “We are looking forward to helping Kirklees Council reach its ambitious recycling targets and reduce even more waste.

“Our depots will be prepared and ready to deal with the plastic pots, tubs and trays come March 31 but not before, which is why we ask Kirklees residents to not put them into the green bins until after that date.”