COLCHESTER residents may be stopped from putting certain types of plastic out for recycling because there is no demand from refuse companies.

Colchester Council is considering plans which would mean film, plastic bags and plastic wrappers would no longer be collected as recyclables from doorsteps across the borough, as part of its waste zones future business case.

Instead, residents would be asked to put the items inside their black bags which would then go to landfill.

Speaking at a meeting of Colchester Council’s Cabinet councillor Sue Lissimore criticised the move.

She said: “We, as an authority, have set up the plastic pledge, however, now we are asking residents to put some plastic in their black bags.

“It will be impossible to police.

"How are the refuse collectors, who already work extremely hard, going to see a bit of clear plastic film or a plastic bag.

“I ask the cabinet to look again at the decision and look at alternatives.

“I do not want us to go backwards.

We have done well to get where we are.”

In January it was revealed Colchester had been named the third best area in England for improving recycling and rubbish rates.

During the year 2017 to 2018, the recycling rate increased to 55 per cent, a nine per cent rise from the year before, and ten per cent above the official rate.

Waste boss Martin Goss said the plans had not yet been approved but admitted they were under consideration.

He said: “We have a global problem with these three elements of plastic, it is not just Colchester.

“Recycling them is difficult and, therefore, there is no market for them. We have spoken to a number of recycling companies because we are looking to re-tender.

“The comments which came back is that these three types of plastic are a problem.

“Even if they end up in the system it does not mean they end up being recycled.

“It is not a decision which would be taken lightly.”