Green-thinking Coventry residents have saved nearly 2,000 trees since a paper recycling scheme started, and the experiment has proved so successful it is to be extended.

The pilot scheme, which is currently being run in the Wyken and Eastern Green areas of the city has seen piles of paper being left for collection.

Special boxes have been given to 4,000 householders as part of a pilot projects to make recycling easier.

If the scheme is a success, other doorstep collection schemes could be developed to help Coventry City Council meet tough new recycling targets set by the government.

Another 1,100 houses are now being taken into the scheme in the Alderminster Road/Unicorn Lane area of Eastern Green, from Monday, and Skipworth Road area in Binley from 19 March.

Cllr John McNicholas, cabinet member (Environmental Services), said:

“Householders have joined in the scheme with so much enthusiasm that their boxes have been piled high with a great assortment of paper and cardboard.

“During the first three months of the project householders recycled an incredible 98 tonnes – that’s equivalent to saving just under 2,00 trees!

“Thanks to these residents we can continue to expand this pilot scheme which is great news for our environment.

A formal review to decide whether to expand the scheme further will be held by Cllr McNicholas in April.