RECYCLING boxes could be given to residents in terraced streets as council chiefs are urged to roll out kerbside collections around York.

Slim-line boxes would be used instead of the standard size to prevent them blocking the pavements, if the suggestion wins support.

The recommendation from the City of York Council's recycling and reuse scrutiny subcommittee is being put to executive members at their meeting on October 24.

Committee members are pressing for the council to ensure disabled people are better informed about changes to such services well in advance, possibly drawing on the help of relevant advisory groups.

They are also calling for more facilities at the Hazel Court site which has taken over the role of waste depot from Foss Islands Road.

A report to the executive highlights that consultation with residents revealed that many disabled people were committed to recycling, but unable to do so because of the lack of kerbside recycling.

And many of those living in terraced streets do not own a car, making it difficult for them to be green with their waste.

Coun David Livesley, committee chairman, said members had tackled the difficulties of designing kerbside recycling facilities for the city's narrower streets which would not create problems for disabled residents with the suggested slimmer boxes.

"We have also made recommendations on the promotion of recycling so that people come to regard it as normal and participate willingly," he wrote in his report.

He said the city's efforts to recycle were not "saving the planet in a dramatic way".

"But if we can all remember the Earth is less damaged every time we recycle and reuse at least we will be entitled to feel we are doing our bit' for the world we live in.

"The environment that sustains us, must sustain others in years to come and can only have a hope of doing so if we all live sustainably now."

Welcoming the proposals, Coun Andy D'Agorne, of the Green Party, said: "I am regularly contacted by residents who want better recycling facilities and have been pressing this issue at recent council meetings."

Coun D'Agorne has also been pushing for door-to-door cardboard collections which are currently only offered on the west side of the city.

He added: "Residents of terraced streets and flats must be provided with an adequate recycling collection service and I will continue to press this issue."

As reported, a new kerbside recycling collection vehicle, designed for use in terraced streets, narrow lanes and the city centre, is already being trialled in York as part of the drive to make recycling services available to more residents.