Brentwood residents are being urged to recycle household items that they often miss.

The new campaign branded the ‘unusual suspects’ will see residents being urged to ‘unusual’ household waste that often slips through the net, like aerosol cans.

The campaign has been launched as part of Recycle Week 2016, a nationwide initiative which started on Monday.

Residents are being urged to spot perfume and shampoo bottles, along with aerosol cans, to add to the list.

Brentwood Borough Council's Chair of the Environment and Housing Management Committee, Councillor Chris Hossack, said current recycling by residents made a ‘huge difference.’

Mr Hossack said: "During Recycle Week, we want to thank Brentwood residents for their recycling efforts.

“What they are currently recycling makes a huge difference, so we'd encourage residents to think what items in other rooms could also be recycled."

A spokesman for Brentwood Council said: “Many households regularly recycle items like plastic bottles, cereal boxes, food and drink cans, jam jars and newspapers, but many more items can be recycled from the bathroom, living rooms and even things found in the bedroom.

“But ‘The Unusual Suspects’, which include aerosol cans, foil trays, beauty crème jars and toilet roll tubes, are often missed."

The spokesman for the council added: “If everyone in the UK recycled one toothpaste box it would save enough energy to run a fridge in over 2,000 homes for a year.

“You can also recycle perfume or aftershave bottles, plastic shampoo, shower gel and moisturiser bottles, washing up bottles, soap dispensers, bleach bottles and spray cleaners.”

Councillor Robert Mitchell, Braintree District Councillor and Chair of Essex Waste Partnership said: "Recycling is already making a big difference thanks to the dedication of Essex residents.

“There are lots of items that can be recycled, but some are lesser known or more ‘unusual’ than others, and so that’s what we’re trying to raise awareness of”.

To find out more information or follow ‘The Unusual Suspects’, visit www.recycleforessex.comor www.recyclenow.com