RESIDENTS are being urged to ensure that they use the right recycling bin when they place items out for collection.

Durham County Council’s six-month Bin it Right campaign aims to stop recyclable items from being made useless by contamination.

Recycling assistants are also available to offer advice on avoiding problems.

Last year the council found that nearly ten per cent of material collected for recycling was not suitable as it included nappies and pet waste.

Councillor Brian Stephens, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “It’s essential that items are put in the right box so recyclable materials are free from contamination.

“Recyclable items should be washed and squashed where possible and placed loose in the recycling bin without being bagged.

“Items that can’t be recycled such as food, pet waste and nappies should be bagged and placed in the rubbish bin.”

Further information on what items go where is available at durham.gov.uk/whatgoeswhere or call 03000-261000.