A NEW scheme has been launched today (Thursday, 13 March) offering eco-friendly doorstep collections to help residents recycle clothes, small electrical items, toys, books and other bric-a-brac from the comfort of their own homes by donating them to be reused.

Thurrock Council has teamed up with Anglo Recycling to offer the new service across the borough.

Recycling bric-a-brac could not be easier, simply book a collection on the council's website, pack your recycling in a small or medium sized box, and Anglo will take care of the rest.

Items recycled through the scheme go on to find new homes where they are needed most, a whopping 95% of items donated are reused, with only 5% going to be recycled.

Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet member for Place and the Environment, said: "This is a free simple way to help people declutter and at the same time make sure that items they no longer want are recycled and reused instead of going to waste.

"All you have to do is pack your donations away in a box, book a collection and either leave the box on your doorstep, or hand it over to the driver when they come to collect it.

"This is yet another innovative way we are helping residents safely and responsibly dispose of their waste, while at the same time boosting the borough's recycling rates."

To find out more, and book a collection visit: thurrock.gov.uk/doorstepcollections