A NEW "waste muncher" is set to hit Rossendale's streets this week as part of the Valley's war against waste.

Rossendale Council has taken delivery of its biggest ever refuse and recycling wagon in an attempt to make waste collections in the area even more efficient.

The new "kerbsider" collection vehicle, which has been funded by DEFRA, can collect both blue recycling bins and paper at the same time.

The machine, dubbed the "waste muncher", is designed with a spilt body which keeps the two types of waste separate.

Although the vehicle is the largest in Rossendale Council's fleet, its special design allows it to operate in all areas of Rossendale.

Councillor Peter Steen, Rossendale Council executive member for street scene and liveability said: "The "kerbsider" vehicle is a valuable addition to our fleet of refuse and recycling vehicles and will help the Council to increase the amount of waste that is recycled.

"This waste muncher vehicle will allow us collect recycled material much more efficiently.

"Rossendale has one of the best recycling rates in Lancashire which we couldn't have achieved without the help of local people, but we still need to do more.

"We are doing our bit by investing in new technology, but we need residents to work in partnership with us to recycle more waste.

"If anyone isn't regularly recycling as much as they can, then BIG recycling week is a great time to start.

"It's in all our interests to make Rossendale an even cleaner greener place to live."

The new vehicle will be launched publicly during this week's BIG recycle Week 2005 which aims to encourage local people to continue to recycle more waste.

Last year the council won praise from inspectors at the Audit Commission which said the borough's recycling rates were on the increase.

The commission's report looked at the council's waste management service before rating it "fair with promising prospects" -- an improvement on the 2001 inspection which rated the service "fair but unlikely to improve".

Inspectors concluded that households in Rossendale were putting out less rubbish for collection, with recycling and composting on the increase, and the town centres and main roads being cleaner.