A scheme to slash waste has seen a rise in recycling.

At the beginning of the year more than 500 brown bins each week were found to have paper in them, which made up half of all recorded contamination.

Now bins rejected for having paper has gone down reduced by 20 per cent.

In February Hertsmere Borough Council launched a campaign, placing stickers on more than 40,000 bins to remind residents to put white paper in the blue box.

In September, the council changed their policy so that brown paper would be accepted in the brown bin to make recycling through kerbside collections easier.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, responsible for environment, said: “We are delighted that paper contamination within our collections each week has reduced, so thank you to everyone who has made the change.

“We have tried to make recycling paper as easy as possible for everyone, and it’s great to see that our residents’ efforts are paying off.

“We’ll continue to keep you informed on our recycling service on Facebook, Twitter and through our website. Keep up the good work.”

For collection reminders follow the council on Twitter @HertsmereBC or like the Facebook page.

For more information visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk.