Frome recycling's three new materials

Three more materials can now be included in Frome householders' weekly kerbside recycling.

Aerosols, textiles and paper kitchen towel have been added to the 10 materials already taken every week: food waste, paper, card, glass bottles and jar, food and drink cans, plastic bottles, aluminium foil, clothes, shoes and car batteries.

It is the latest advance in the Sort It Plus kerbside service, which went county-wide from late last year, helping take Somerset's recycling levels to around 51%, and mirrors progress at recycling sites, where materials taken now include cooking oil for recycling to generate electricity.

As with all materials in the kerbside collection, there are some essential Dos and Don'ts:

• Aerosols go out in the same box with food and drink cans. Use up all contents and never squash or pierce them. It helps to discard tops and nozzles into the refuse. All aerosols are accepted but not gas canisters, such as those used in home fizzy drinks machines or containing camping gas.

• Textiles, such as towels, sheets, blankets, curtains and covers, are accepted as well as clothes. They should be put out in plastic bags (not black sacks) to keep them dry and labelled: "Textiles." Not accepted at the kerbside are stuffed items, such as duvets, pillows and quilts.

• Kitchen towel made of paper can be recycled with food waste. Kitchen towel will be composted with food waste and, from next year, turned into electricity by Somerset's new anaerobic digester.

Aerosols and textiles can also be taken for recycling to all recycling sites; food waste is not accepted at recycling sites except for disposal.

Cllr Derek Yeomans, chair of Somerset Waste Partnership's governing Board, said: "Taking three extra materials at the kerbside is another step forward. This will improve services, deliver better value and help householders recycle more."

Householders seeking more advice about kerbside collections should contact their district council customer services.