PLASTIC bottles, aluminium cans and glass jars collected by Wyre Forest residents in green bins have been sent to landfill, after an infestation of flies led to the temporary closure of a district recycling centre.

The insect problem put the site in Hoobrook out of action during the afternoon of Wednesday last week and council bosses chose to redirect kerbside collection lorries to a landfill facility instead.

Only a “small amount” of recycling went to landfill, according to Wyre Forest District Council, and alternative recycling plans have now been implemented.

Independent councillor Helen Dyke, the local authority's cabinet member for operational services, said: “With our residents’ help we regularly recycle a third of all waste. We are proud of the recycling rates and we are constantly looking for ways to recycle more.

“Our recycling is normally sent to a facility in Hoobrook but this closed on Wednesday afternoon, as they are dealing with a fly infestation.

“The short notice of the closure meant we had to send a small amount of recycling collected that afternoon to landfill.

“We are back recycling now as we have made alternative arrangements and recycling is being taken to Norton recycling plant.

“All agencies are working together to make sure that the Hoobrook facility is back up and running as soon as possible.

“We would like to remind residents to check what can and cannot be put into their recycling bins.

“When the site was inspected all sorts of items, such as food waste and nappies, had been wrongly included in the green bins.”