EFFORTS to double the amount of household waste recycled in Worcester over the next 12 months are moving closer.

recycling starter packs are being delivered to 38,000 homes in the city in the next week in preparation for a major shake-up in domestic refuse collection.

The city council is hoping that by March 2004, 18 per cent of household waste will be recycled and 25 per cent by 2005, compared to the current 9 per cent.

Under the new scheme, households should separate their waste into colour coded collection sacks - purple sacks for paper and textiles and clear sacks cans and plastics go in.

Recycling teams will collect the waste fortnightly - on the same day as black bags are collected.

The city's environmental protection officer, John Bond, said the scheme is expected to go a long way towards not only meeting Government-set targets, but also in conserving depleted natural resources.

"It is crucial that we take more steps towards recycling our waste," said Mr Bond. "We are simple creating too much waste and we are running out of space to bury our refuse.

"Once in the ground, the rubbish breaks down into gasses which are altering our climate.

"Recycling allows everyone the chance to do their bit for the environment," he said.

Mr Bond added that the targets were achievable but only with the help and goodwill of the public.