HYNDBURN residents could see the number of recycling containers reduced as a major review gets under way.

The borough council has set up a panel to examine how to improve recycling.

And one option being considered is reducing the amount of containers in a bid to encourage more people to get involved.

Hyndburn’s recycling rate is around 38 per cent, but has to improve to meet government targets.

The panel will also consider whether to provide boxes for cardboard after complaints that items were being blown all over streets on windy days.

The review, expected to take approximately six months, comes as the borough’s bin wagons approach a replacement date later this year.

Councillors want to examine what improvements are needed to the recycling service as a whole before ordering new bin wagons.

Heading the review panel will be deputy leader Coun Munsif Dad. He said: “One of the improvements we are looking at making is containers for cardboard to put an end to the problems happening on windy days.

“Though the bags provided for cardboard have been improved lately , it is still a problem based on what householders are telling us.

“At the moment the average householder in Hyndburn separates recycling waste into four containers.

“That’s not bad compared to other authorities, but we may be able to do better. We are looking at whether we can recycle more unusual items, such as batteries as part of the service.”

Other areas have just two recycling bins, with waste staff then separating the items.

Currently householders separate recycling into up to five containers. Those with a garden get a green bin for grass cuttings.

Coun Dad added: “Even though we’ve led the way on recycling here in Hyndburn and have an impressive track record, this panel will examine what we do now and what we could do better in the future.”