Council chiefs in Telford today unveiled a £4.2 million masterplan to overhaul and almost double recycling in the borough – including the construction of two major waste centres.

Kerbside recycling services would be improved and extended and plans for bigger and better recycling centres in the north and south of the borough could also be in the pipeline.

Smaller centres dotted around the borough could be axed as part of the ambitious scheme designed to increase household recycling from its current rate of 38 per cent.

The proposals aim to save taxpayers a waste bill of £400,000 a year.

The plan is now out for public consultation as part of the ruling Tory group’s budget proposals for next year.

Council spokesman Nigel Newman said the overhaul of kerbside recycling would see plastics added to the items binmen will take from next spring and a review carried out of the authority’s four community recycling centres.

He added: “One of the ideas outlined in the budget consultation would be to build two bigger and better recycling centres in the north and south of the borough and make these more accessible for the public, for example with better facilities and longer opening hours.

“With the development of new facilities, among changes the council could consider include the possible closure of its current smaller community recycling centre sites at Granville, Ketley and Newport.”

Mr Newman said the planned seven-figure investment underlined the council’s commitment to further increase recycling in the borough.

Council leader Councillor Andrew Eade said: “No decisions have yet been made but we must plan ahead so that our commitment to take recycling for homes and businesses in the borough to new levels is properly funded.

“People tell us they want to recycle much more but without investment in facilities there is only so much more we can do. If the budget consultation and the council backs us moving ahead with this investment then we will be in a position to work up more detailed proposals.”