FOREST residents can have their say on how the district council improves its recycling services.

Some 2,000 surveys will be posted out by the joint waste team to randomly selected properties over the next few weeks. Those who do not receive a survey can visit http://www.fdean.gov.uk/">www.fdean.gov.uk/ go/wastesurvey 

Cllr Marrilyn Smart (Con. Christchurch and English Bicknor), cabinet member for the environment at the Forest of Dean District Council, said: "Fifty per cent of the waste we collect from households and through the network of recycling banks is now recycled or composted, which is great news. 

"However, this still means that half of everything being thrown away is ending up in landfill, which is costly and largely avoidable.

"We are starting to look at new collection options for the district - particularly in respect of making it easier for people to recycle more of their waste at the kerbside - and we are keen to hear the views of residents over the next two months to help shape these important decisions.

"At present the council spends close to £3m on collecting waste and recycling from homes with a further £3m being spent by the county council on the disposal of refuse just from the Forest of Dean. 

"In view of the council's financial position, improving the service must be done without spending more. We would also like views about what changes might be acceptable to allow for a wider variety of recyclable materials to be collected from households in the future."

Submission deadline is Tuesday, September 1.