Rapidly increasing recycling rates this year could help to save Wiltshire taxpayers millions of pounds in landfill tax, Wiltshire Council has said.

North Wiltshire’s weekly non-recyclable household waste collections have been scrapped in favour of a fortnightly system and the changes will come into effect from March 5.

It means there will be more emphasis on recycling with black box, blue-lidded bin and garden waste collections in the alternative week.

The 91,000 tonnes of recyclables that are currently collected in the county each year are expected to rise to around 120,000 tonnes next year.

Last year the council paid £3.9m in landfill tax and with sharp rises in the tax imminent Wiltshire Council wants to reduce the amount it sends to landfill.

Tracy Carter, service director for waste, said: “We made these changes because all residents in the county need to have the same level of service. It will mean improved recycling services for all and we will achieve our aims to recycle more and send less to landfill.

“In Wiltshire we are now collecting over 700 tonnes of plastic bottles and cardboard alone each month and we are now expanding our blue-lidded bin service to include shredded paper and brown paper.”

Wiltshire’s recycling rate is currently equal to the national average – 41 per cent – but council bosses are hopeful the changes next month will see that figure rise closer to 51 per cent by 2014.

One of the biggest growths in recycling is likely to come from the free collection of garden waste in North Wiltshire, which residents previously had to pay for. Anyone wishing to use a garden waste bin must contact the council to have one supplied. They can opt-in online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gardenbin A free garden waste collection was already in place in West Wiltshire which has helped that area reached a 43 per cent recycling rate compared to the North’s 28 per cent.

Anyone who needs help with their new collection service can contact the council’s waste and recycling team on 0300 4560102.