Kerbside recycling on the way

A KERBSIDE rubbish recycling pilot scheme, managed by local charity Furniture Now, starts in parts of Lewes from March.

In Newhaven the scheme, this time operated by Lewes District Council s contract works group, starts in the early summer.

Said environment cabinet member Cllr Julie Carr: 'I am keen to use the success of our joint work with community groups such as Furniture Now as evidence of our commitment to working in innovative ways.

'This should also help us to bring in extra Government funding for the kerbside recycling in Newhaven.

Initially 1,250 households in Lewes about a quarter of the town s population will be taking part in the scheme.

Every two weeks Furniture Now staff will make rubbish pick-ups from the kerb in selected streets. Each household will have two plastic boxes (issued free) for collection one containing paper and the other metal cans, plastic bottles and cleanfoil.

The pilot scheme will last for up to a year but, depending on its popularity and the guarantee of future funding, could expand across the town and villages and last indefinitely.

The kerbside material will be taken to the Lewes recycling centre for further sorting.

A new 25,000 electric vehicle has been ordered for the project.