STOCKTON Council is asking residents to give their views on its waste management and recycling services.

A review of the services by the Council's Environment Select Committee is beginning, with the aim of improving the service to residents and making the Borough a cleaner, greener place.

The study is part of the Council's programme to continually seek ways of improving services. It will also consider the effect of national legislation and policy on waste and recycling and contribute to the developing joint waste strategy for the wider Tees Valley area.

Councillor Maureen Rigg, Chair of Stockton Council's Environment Select Committee, said: "Like councils across the country, we face the need to continually improve recycling rates for less cost whilst maintaining or preferably improving customer satisfaction.

"Local people are more environmentally aware than ever before. They tell us in surveys that they want more opportunities to recycle their waste, so we need to find out what we can do and how we can do it.

"The Council is pledged to tackle climate change. It is important to us to improve the quality and security of our environment for current and future generations.

"Stockton Borough already has some of the country's lowest rates of waste sent to landfill sites. The energy-from-waste plant at Haverton Hill makes a big contribution to this but the need to continue reducing our reliance on landfill remains high on the agenda. We are aiming towards zero landfill.

"Collection services in the Borough are currently one of the best performing in the land. With high satisfaction and just 2.5 missed bins last year out of every 100,000 our collection teams certainly deserve praise.

"Yet of course there will always be ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness, so we'll also be looking at what these might be and whether they are appropriate.

"We will be approaching individuals and businesses involved in the waste industry for their views, but the Select Committee would particularly welcome residents' views to help us shape the Council's future policy."

Widespread consultation with residents is taking place. Later this month, the Council's magazine 'Stockton News' will include a questionnaire, or you can fill it in online at www.stockton.gov.uk/starttalkingrubbish

You can also comment on the draft Joint Waste Strategy at www.stockton.gov.uk/teesvalleywaste

The Council will also hold consultation sessions at the markets in Billingham on Monday, January 28, Stockton on Wednesday, January 30 and Thornaby on Thursday, January 31.

All returned questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw and the lucky winner can choose between a new mountain bike or a trip for two in a hot air balloon.

For more details, contact Stockton Council's Scrutiny Officer Judith Trainer on (01642) 528158 or by email at judith.trainer@stockton.gov.uk