BOTH binmen and residents are on a "learning curve" as recycling is rolled out.

But most people have taken to the new system well, according to recycling operator Colin Faulkner.

"There's obviously some confusion as to what can and can't be recycled and generally putting things in the right boxes - things like corrugated cardboard being put in the paper box which we can't take," he said

"But there's a lot to take in in these early days and it's going pretty well."

Steve Brant, Wyre Forest District Council's environmental cleansing services manager, pointed to high participation rates in the ambitious project during yesterday morning's walkabout with the Shuttle/Times & News.

He said: "The beauty of this scheme is what was before going to a landfill site is now all being reused or recycled."

For example, paper will be turned into pets' beds, added Mr Brant.

When the scheme has been fully rolled out next February, 87 per cent of households will be covered while the remainder - mostly high-rise flats and isolated rural houses - should be included later in the year.

Mr Brant said the district council operated a "one wheelie bin policy" per household although there were exceptions such as for families of six or more.

But he added the scheme enabled people to recycle 50 to 60 per cent of their domestic waste.

So far 14 staff have been employed and nine new recycling dustcarts have been bought thanks to a £660,000 Government grant. Mr Brant said the next step was to ensure more organic waste is recycled.