A SINGER has penned a special song urging people to recycle their household waste.

Environmentally friendly Ron Marsh wrote the ditty to let people living in Sussex know about changes which means plastic pots, tubs and trays can now be put in the recycling bin.

Also known as Recycling Ron, the 68-year-old has been a waste prevention advisor for West Sussex County Council for a year. The volunteer is tasked with “inspiring” people to recycle.

Mr Marsh, of Lancing, said he wrote the song as a light-hearted way of getting a serious message across.

He said: “I spend a lot of my time talking to people about rubbish – it’s a subject I’m really passionate about and is more interesting than you’d think.

“I’m always playing around on my guitar, putting little songs together for my grandchildren, so I decided to take it one step further and write a couple of verses about recycling. People are bombarded with information these days, but I know from experience that singing a song will get people’s attention, so it seemed like a great way to spread our message.

“It’s a big change and it’s important that people understand what can and cannot go into their recycling bin. It’s also important to make sure items are clean, dry and loose – not in plastic bags. Getting it wrong can cause serious problems, so whilst my song is a bit of fun it could make a big difference to the way we recycle.”

The video - compiled by the council for free - has already won praise on YouTube with more than 400 hits.

Emmy Hush commented: “Ron you’re my hero and you should be the hero of every housewife or househusband as they proudly wash up their yoghurt pots. Here’s to the daily plastics wash.”

David Barling, the council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, praised it as a “novel” way of spreading the news and thanked Mr Marsh for his efforts.

The council hopes to recycle 4,000 more tonnes of plastic a year which, as well as helping the environment, will help it save more than £300,000 in landfill tax.

It costs the authority £82 a tonne to have rubbish put into landfill.

Watch the video at theargus.co.uk