RESIDENTS of Poole are far from rubbish when it comes to recycling but in future they will need to do even better.

In the past four years blue bin recycling of paper, glass, cardboard, tins and plastic has shot up from 18 per cent to 39.1 per cent.

Aided by composting and the recycling bins at the Nuffield tip, the borough is in good shape to reach its 40 per cent target by 2010.

Cllr Don Collier, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment said: "We have got two years to make an extra one per cent.

"If we don't we risk fines of £20m - £70m. There are big problems if we get it wrong."

The government has set tough targets and councils face heavy financial penalties for failing to meet them.

Poole sends more than 47,000 tonnes of rubbish to landfill each year at a cost of more than £60 per tonne.

The recycling target hits 45 per cent by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2020 and the Borough of Poole has responded with a new plan that sets out how can further improve the way it deals with waste.

Its draft Waste Strategy Review is being launched on September 1 and a series of roadshows will be staged to enable residents to give their views.

Short, medium and long term plans are being proposed to minimise waste, including promoting the swap of a larger blue recycyling wheelie and a smaller black bin for existing bins.

"We are doing about 100-150 swaps per month," said Rachel Davies, principal officer, environmental and consumer protection services. "We are looking to encourage more people."

Cllr Collier said: "It's all done voluntarily. There is no compulsion. We're not penalising people for not having a bin lid shut or because they leave bins out two days longer than they should."

The Love Food Hate Waste campaign, which offers tips and recipes will be promoted and cloth bags, T-towels, pens and pencils made from recycled paper and CD cases will be given away at roadshows, the first of which is in the High Street on September 11.

"The people of Poole have done really well," said Cllr Collier. "How can we help them do even better?"