SOUTH Bucks district is set to recycle more when a new company takes over refuse and recycling collections.

Verdant Group Plc takes on the contract for the council's refuse and recycling collections as well as street cleaning from Biffa Ltd, in a move that will see the district getting a new fleet of collection vehicles.

A letter from Councillor Bill Lidgate, portfolio holder for the environment, was posted to every household in the district informing residents about the changes to the service that will affect people living in the district.

The new system, which is introduced on November 1, means glass and cans will now be collected fortnightly instead of every four weeks.

Collection points for rubbish sacks will also see a change in the location from where they are currently picked up.

These will be moved to the property boundary, from where recycling boxes are already collected.

Residents on the council's assisted collection' list, such as people who have mobility difficulties or disabilities who are not able to put their recycling boxes out on the property boundary will also be catered for under the new scheme.

Cllr Lidgate said: "We're buying a whole new fleet of vehicles for the start of the new contract, including state of the art recycling vehicles.

"These have split bodies which keep paper, card, glass and cans separate, but allow us to collect it all at the same time using only one vehicle. This cuts down on vehicle movements and fuel costs."

An invitation-only vehicle launch is being held on Saturday, October 27 at the council's offices in Denham.

To apply for an invitation, email refuseandrecycling@southbucks.gov.uk or call 01895 837362 by next Friday (October 12).

Thirty invitations will be available for residents to come and see the vehicles and meet staff and councillors.