NEWPORT residents will be issued with smaller wheelie bins when they need replacing in a bid to encourage them to recycle more.

Smaller 180 litre bins will replace current models, which have a 240 litre capacity when they come to the end of their natural life, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Larger families, which have a 360 litres bin could get a 240 litre one and householders who would prefer a smaller bin can request one straight away.

The decision by councillor David Fouweather, cabinet member for street services, follows a successful trial earlier this year.

All those who took part reported no difficulties in coping with less capacity and 65 per cent also said their bins were less than half full when due for emptying. There was also an increase in recycling.

Cllr Fouweather said the gradual introduction of the scheme could increase recycling rates in the city by 0.5 per cent this year and every increase, however small, was an important contribution to the council meeting the increasingly stringent targets being set by the Welsh Government.

He added: “We are extremely appreciative of the support given to our recycling efforts by residents. We do not want council taxpayers to have to foot the bill if we are fined for failing to meet those targets.”

In 2010/11 the council recycled or composted 44 per cent of household waste but by 2012/13 this must increase to 52 per cent – or the council will be fined £368,000.

Other proposals using this year’s reduced allocation of just over £3 million from the Welsh Government’s sustainability grant include a trial of a different method of collecting plastic recycling materials.

The trial will see plastic saved and collected in plastic sacks to prevent them blowing away from the Wastesavers boxes they are currently stored.