RECYCLING is set to get easier for North Somerset households as bin collections go three-weekly.

A new red recycling bag, collecting a wider range of recycling materials, is set to be introduced by North Somerset Council, as well as a new app, when the bin collections fall to once every three weeks, later this year.

The change comes after a trial with 6,000 households featuring a red reusable bag for recycling household plastic and metal packaging.

Now, they will start being delivered to North Somerset households from the end of the month.

The bag provides extra space for more recycling, is weighted to stop it blowing away, is larger than recycling boxes, and secures with a Velcro strip across the top to prevent litter, the council said.

A leaflet inside the bag provides full instructions and households can start using their new bag as well as their existing recycling boxes straight away.

In the neighbouring Somerset Council area, the bags are blue.

READ MORE: Three-weekly bin collections coming to North Somerset – but does it increase recycling?

Councillor Annemieke Waite, North Somerset Council’s executive member for climate, waste and sustainability, said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit. As well as making recycling easier, the changes we’re announcing today will significantly reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and instead generate savings of over £1 million to help fund vital local services.

“Weighted, reusable bags for recycling are used successfully by lots of other councils across the country.

“We know from our trial that the red bag gives people much more space for their weekly recycling so there’s a lot less put in black bins, and the majority of participants recommended the red bag is rolled out to the rest of North Somerset.”

North Somerset Council first introduced weekly kerbside recycling collections 15 years ago. However, the council said around half (45 per cent) of waste put in black bins could be recycled.

Other changes to collections coming this year include recycling of plastic bags and wrapping such as crisp packets, film lids, pet food pouches and vegetable wrapping, which make up 10 per cent of black bin contents.

Cllr Waite added: “Several other councils have already successfully made the switch to three-weekly bin collections, including Somerset, East Devon and Mid Devon.

“We will be in touch with households to let them know when their collections will change later this year. For anyone who has concerns, support is available.”

The move to three-weekly black bin collections aims to help North Somerset reduce non-recycled waste, and reach a recycling rate of 70 per cent by 2030.