THURROCK Council's Waste Management Working Group is launching a far reaching consultation on the future of waste management in the borough and they would like residents' views to inform the borough's waste strategy for 2020 to 2030.

Thurrock Council collects nearly 900,000 bins a month containing over 4,750 tonnes of waste which is processed and disposed of.

Currently residents put around 37% of that waste into their recycling bins against a national recycling target of 50%.

The consultation has been launched to help the Waste Management Group develop plans to manage the borough's waste for the next decade.

Cllr Mike Fletcher, Chairman of the Waste Management Working Group, said: "We want to make sure that we have a waste management process and system which is fit for the future and ensures as much of our waste is recycled as possible.

"The current government recycling target is 50% and that is set to rise to 65% by 2035 so it is vital that we take action now to ensure that Thurrock is ready to meet those targets.

"It's not often we actually encourage people to 'talk rubbish' but this is one of those occasions when it will benefit all of us! We know that waste collection is a key issue for many of our residents so we want to hear from as many people as possible as we plan for the future.

"I would encourage everyone to make their voice heard and give us their feedback on this vitally important issue."

Every home in the borough will be sent a postcard asking them to take part in the consultation. The consultation will be available online at thurrock.gov.uk/TalkingRubbish or via the red button below) with paper copies also available at community hubs and libraries throughout the borough.