A campaign to remind brown bin owners in St Albans about so-called ‘side waste’ is being launched this month.

St Albans council will start slapping stickers on bins which regularly have additional bin bags left next to them.

The stickers explain side waste will not be cleared by council contractor Veolia, only the bins’ contents.

Residents have also been asked to ensure the bin’s lid is closed flat so it can be lifted into the refuse lorries.

The council hopes the stickers encourage residents to recycle more of their waste, building on St Albans district’s recycling rate of 59 per cent in the last 12 months.

Just short of the council’s 60 per cent target.

The council’s portfolio holder for the environment, Daniel Chichester-Miles, said: “Our recycling rate has increased considerably and we are grateful to our residents for helping us achieve that. It has been very much a joint effort.

“Our new waste collection regime has been in operation for just over a year and although it has been very successful, there is room for improvement.

“We’re going to follow the example of other local authorities that have raised their recycling rate to over 60 per cent and remind households we will not be taking away side waste apart from over the Christmas period.

“I am confident this will encourage the greater recycling of garden waste, glass, plastics, cardboard, clothes, electrical items and other materials.

“I’m also sure that residents will want to further boost the recycling rate and support our campaign.”

On the first brown bin collection after Christmas Day, the rule will be relaxed and side waste will be taken away by Veolia’s crews.

Large households which feel the brown bin is too small for their needs can contact the council on 01727 809019 or wastemenagementservices@stalbans.gov.uk