From Monday, 6 June most residents in the borough will be switching to wheelie bins for their rubbish and recycling and the last time they will need to use their green box and white sack is in the week commencing 30 May.

The council will not be collecting old recycling containers after the switch over, but once they have been washed out, the sturdy green boxes have a range of different uses – including storage in the garden, home, shed or garage. They also make excellent raised beds and planters in a garden or balcony. The versatile white sacks are also useful for storage and transporting equipment and materials. They can be folded away for easy storage in between uses.

Along with Ealing Bubble, the council has compiled a video with some ideas for how to reuse the green box after 6 June.

The council has also  compiled a range of ideas on how to reuse the containers on its Pinterest page.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “We don’t expect residents to give back their old recycling containers and are instead encouraging them to keep hold on to them for their homes and gardens. They have many possible uses and we have pulled together some inspiration in this video and on our Pinterest page.

“People who can’t reuse their green boxes and white bags can donate them to friends, neighbours, local groups, or nurseries and schools. As a last resort, we are accepting green boxes for recycling at the Greenford Reuse and Recycling Centre, but residents are encouraged to do the environmentally-friendly thing and reuse or donate them first.”

To connect with your local community, go to Ealing Bubble.

Residents who cannot find a use for their old containers are encouraged to contact local schools, nurseries and community groups to see if they would welcome their donation. Local people who do not wish to reuse or donate them can recycle their green boxes by dropping them to Greenford Reuse and Recycling Centre after Monday, 6 June. The white sacks cannot be recycled.