RECYCLING rubbish could now land you store vouchers and iTunes gift cards after council launches its new green rewards scheme.

Recycling Rewards has also recruited top town centre retailers including Tyrers and Jones & Hoffman who will be part of the voucher and incentive scheme run by Local Green Points, which provides services for councils focused on waste and recycling.

Thirty two neighbours each month will win vouchers for their recycling efforts.

The scheme also helps raise funds for local charities including the Steve Prescott Foundation, HoneyRose, Willowbrook and the Hope Centre.

Funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government, the project will allocate prizes based on the amount of waste recycled individually and collectively.

Welcome packs have been sent out with details of how to activate accounts and contains a card that entitles holders to exclusive offers and discounts from local businesses.

Each month the top performing recycler and runner up in their community will win £50 and £25 respectively to spend on a choice of vouchers including Marks and Spencer and iTunes, Tyrers.

Meanwhile, Jones & Hoffman is offering discounts of ten per cent and free jewellery cleaning up to five items, trips for the family or local charity donations.

And recyclers will be able to vote for which of their chosen charity gets a share of £10,000 at the end of the scheme.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough, Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron said: “Across the borough we recycle 42 per cent of our waste – an achievement to be proud of – but there’s still much more we can do to reach the 50 per cent target.

“The more you reduce, reuse and recycle – the better chance you have of winning rewards for yourself and for local charities.”