HOUSEHOLDERS in Great Lever are pioneering a new scheme to increase the amount of waste Bolton recycles.

About 100 residents on the Sunnyside estate have been issued with green boxes to fill with items such as glass, bottles and drinks cans.

The initiative was set up after residents complained that it was difficult to get to recycling sites.

If the 12 week trial is successful, it could be extended to the rest of Great Lever.

The project has been organised by Bolton at Home and Great Lever Neighbourhood Management and the containers will emptied every week by Bolton Wise.

Councillor Guy Harkin, executive member for environment at Bolton Council, said: "The amount of rubbish being thrown away by households is increasing.

"We have a number of recycling facilities in the borough but this is a new project where we bring the ability to recycle to people's doorsteps. I hope residents will use the boxes when they are throwing out their rubbish and do their bit for the environment."

It is hoped all Bolton homes will have the boxes within a few years as the council aims to treble the amount of waste it recycles by 2006.