COLCHESTER Council is hosting free drop-in events for residents to mark national Recycling Week.

At the events council staff will be available to answer questions and provide hints and tips to help residents recycle more.

They will also be distributing new or replacement green boxes to residents and be able to assist residents in downloading a recycling container voucher.

Organised by WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme) this year's Recycling Week is themed "Recycling - It's in our own hands".

The aim is to explain more about how residents can recycle more through both kerbside collections and alternative methods.

Martin Goss, councillor responsible for waste, environment and transportation, said: "Colchester’s residents are fantastic at recycling and I’d like to acknowledge and thank everyone, including staff, for all their hard work to increase recycling in the borough and reduce the amount of rubbish that’s sent to landfill.

“Last year, Colchester’s recycling rate was 54 per cent and since April this year we have recycled 56.3 per cent of our waste, which is really great news.

“Our Recycling Week events are a great way for residents to get advice and information about how they can recycle even more and help the environment further.”

The first drop-in event takes place at Colchester Library, in Trinity Square, between 10am and 12noon and then 1pm and 3pm on Monday.

A second event takes place at Boxted Community Centre, in Cage Lane, between 10am and 11.30am on Tuesday.

Visit colchester.gov.uk/recyclingevents.