A TRIAL of home glass collections is due to be extended to more households in Northumberland.

The ongoing kerbside collections pilot was rolled out to about 4,000 properties last year, with a further 800 set to be signed up in December.

But despite the popularity of the scheme, which has been branded “excellent” by bosses, it is likely to be 2023 before the rest of the county is able to benefit.

According to a report prepared by bin bosses at Northumberland County Council (NCC): “The trial scheme has been well received by participants with high satisfaction levels, requests for retention of the service and high yields of glass per household.

“The impact of Covid-19 restrictions has had a significant impact on people’s lifestyles, consumption habits and recycling behaviours, with more people consuming alcohol at home, which has led to a 22 per cent increase in the amount of glass being collected for recycling in the county through its network of bring recycling sites.

“The Government has undertaken further consultations on its Resources and Waste Strategy and, pending the outcome of the latest consultation exercises and the passage of the Environment Bill in the coming months, it is envisaged that local authorities will be required to provide kerbside recycling collection services for a much wider range of materials, including glass, from as early as 2023/24.”

The scheme currently covers around 1,000 properties in each of Hexham, Morpeth, Bedlington and Alnwick.

The planned expansion is due to add an extra 800 wheelie bins across the four trial areas by December, with the first collections for new additions scheduled for January.

Council chiefs previously promised to wait for news on government funding before committing to rolling out collections to all corners of the county.

More than £60,000 has been spent on bins so far, as part of the pilot, with the cost of monthly collections expected to add £43,000 a year to the local authority’s expenses.

Previously, eco-conscious households in Northumberland had to take glass waste to tips or one of more than 170 smaller recycling sites throughout the county for it to be recycled.

The new scheme means Northumberland is now the only part of the North-East offering a monthly service, while the region’s six other councils provide fortnightly pick-ups.

Bosses at NCC, however, have justified the less frequent collections by providing a larger bin, which they claim has seen many households put it out to be emptied less frequently.

Figures for the amount of glass recycled has prompted some health campaigners to warn of the dangers posed by “risky” drinking habits, which may have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

But local authority chiefs have said they are “confident” that the reopening of pubs and restaurants will see recycling levels “stabilise”.