Recyclable rubbish weighing the same as 56 African elephants was produced by the people of Gravesham each month thanks to the council’s successful waste management scheme.

Gravesham council has been given a £100,000 reward by Kent County Council after its £4.9million recycling system bagged a successful first year.

The council introduced wheelie bins and food caddies for many homes across the borough in June last year.

Gravesham had been one of the worst performing councils in the country when it came to recycling and it was hoped the changes would improve those figures.

It offered an almost bespoke service, giving different facilities in relation to what type of home you had or where you lived.

The project resulted in a 10% rise in recycling, with residents producing 478 tonnes of reusable waste a month, up from 450 tonnes. A total of 240 tonnes each month was food waste.

The council will soon be extending its recycling service to people living in flats and sheltered accommodation. However, it will not be in place immediately and will be phased in. Officers hope the service will be available to the majority of households in the borough by the end of the year.

Council leader Cllr John Cubitt said the money would be used to cover the extra cost of running the scheme.

He said: “It’s excellent the way people have reacted.

“It could have been problematic so I think the officers have done a really good job in the way it has been implemented.

“I think all round it’s just a better system. As well as the big forms of recycling, having the small food caddies does mean that we are getting less of the black bins ripped, which means less rubbish on the streets.”

If you do not have a recycling bin or want another due to the size of your family, you can request a new one by contacting the council at customer.services@gravesham.gov.uk