British Polythene Industries has launched a new refuse sack which it believes will improve household waste recycling across the UK.

The new "Rip/Tip" sacks have been developed by BPI Recycled Products, the recycling arm of the polythene film producer, to provide easier access for collectors.

The company says the sack is sturdy, can easily accommodate an average household's recyclable domestic waste between collections and is specifically designed for easy removal to the kerbside.

Once on the kerbside, the sack provides easier access for collectors, since the bags are easy to tear. BPI has said that there is no need for knives, the user can just rip the bag and empty it into the correct compartment of the collection vehicle. The emptied sacks are then kept on the vehicle and can be sent for recycling.

As well as helping to reach recycling targets, the sacks also have a positive effect on health and safety in working practices, BPI suggested.

Innovative

BPI Recycled Products sales director Lorcan Mekitarian said: "We recognised that many local authorities were seeking innovative solutions to overcome the problem of how to increase collection waste for packaging recyclables, without having to resort to rigid bins or boxes."

Councils including Ellesmere Port & Neston have already begun using the sacks and Keith Marks, waste management officer at that council said they did make it easier for householders to store recyclable material in their own homes.

"The strategy of making it easier for people to store recyclable material in their own homes has led to an additional 35 tonnes per week of additional packaging sent for recycling in our area. We've also seen a major reduction in the time taken to collect waste so we are delighted that we've introduced this initiative," he said.