Trips to bottle banks in Brightlingsea will be easier following a change that means glass of any colour can now be put in any bin.

The move follows an upgrade at Tendring district’s processing plant, which can now handle mixed glass as well as bottles and jars with lids on. It should also help prevent overflowing bins, as the clear bins are often full before the green and brown containers – leading to glass being left on the ground.

Michael Talbot, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for environment, said the small changes should have a big benefit. “The additional capacity will encourage people to recycle more and mean the bottle banks will need emptying less often – all helping to reduce our overall carbon footprint.”

Five new textile banks have also been installed across the district, with the closest to Brightlingsea located in Station Road, Great Bentley.