There have already been more than 2,800 responses to a survey asking the public for opinions on how Aberdeenshire can recycle more as a community. The survey closes tomorrow (28 February).

Responses will inform recommendations by the recycling and waste service to be presented to councillors.

Residents are asked how services could be improved to help them to recycle more. Possible changes could include smaller landfill waste bins, less frequent collections of the landfill waste bin, or both.

Garden waste is currently collected at recycling centres and at additional seasonal recycling points. Residents are asked to consider whether alternative arrangements would help them recycle more garden waste.

This could be a paid-for kerbside collection or reduced frequency of landfill bin collections to allow garden waste to be lifted from households using the same bin lorries.

It is thought the cost of a paid-for garden waste collection could be in the region of £40-£50 per household per year.

Currently the council provides alternate weekly collections of mixed dry recycling and landfill waste, with food waste collected for recycling every week.

A network of recycling centres, glass and textile recycling points and seasonal garden waste points is also available to help residents recycle as much as possible.

Despite the availability of these services, Aberdeenshire’s recycling rate is only 43.5%. However, a recent analysis of landfill bins from households across the region shows the recycling rate could be more than 70% if the current recycling services were used effectively.

To take part in the online survey see: http://bit.ly/AbshireRecyclingSurvey

Hard copies can also be completed at libraries and service points.