RECYCLING and rubbish figures throughout Colchester are on track to "exceed expectations", according to waste bosses.

Last year Colchester Council made changes to waste collections across the borough in a bid to boost recycling rates and reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.

Jessica Scott-Boutell, councillor responsible for waste, said figures continue to show a policy of collecting black bags every fortnight has encouraged residents to recycle more.

Between July and November 2017, the borough recycled 55 per cent of all its rubbish, compared to the 44 per cent recycling rate seen at year end in March 2017.

Between the same months, there was a reduction of 4,464 tonnes in residual waste, meaning 33 per cent less rubbish went to landfill when compared to the same period in 2016.

The reduction is the equivalent to the weight of 22 blue whales.

Ms Scott-Boutell said: “Since the introduction of the new system in June 2017, we have seen a dramatic increase in our recycling rates.

"These fantastic results speak for themselves, showing a major decrease in the amount of material that is going to landfill.

“It has been encouraging to see how much of a positive difference the resident’s efforts and the hard work of staff at the council have made.

"There is still more we can do to live more sustainably, but this is an excellent start.”