Recycling rates in parts of Leicester have soared after a trial scheme.
Orange bags replaced green boxes in parts of Belgrave, Braunstone Park, Rowley Fields, Evington and Eyres Monsell, last September.
The pilot project has seen the amount of recycled rubbish rise by 10 per cent, meaning about 50 per cent of all eligible material is now recycled in some areas.
The bags can be used to collect a wider range of household waste, including cardboard, mixed plastics, cans and tins.
Councillor Sarah Russell, Leicester City Council cabinet member for the environment, is hoping it will lead to the six-month trial being extended to the whole city.
She said: "The simplicity of being able to put all types of recyclable materials in, including plastic, is what's making this a success.
"Not only are we seeing more material being recycled, but we're also seeing people who have never recycled before giving it a try."
People are allowed to put out as many orange bags as they wish, so a potentially unlimited amount of waste can be recycled each week.
Feedback from residents has been taken into account, and one change already made is the way bags are ordered by households.
Rather than calling for a new roll of bags, the second-last bag on each roll is a different colour so kerbside refuse collectors can order new ones.
Alison Neil, 34, from Belgrave said: "I hang my recycling bag on my kitchen door and throw things in it throughout the week. I find it easier than using the old green box.
"It's good that plastic can go in there."
Gary Welford, 50, from Overpark Avenue, Braunstone Park, Leicester said: "A couple of members of my family now use the orange bags and they find them useful.
"I think I preferred the design of the old green box, but being able to put out as much recycling as you need is the benefit of the orange bag scheme."
Recycling rates have risen in recent years among Leicestershire's district councils, but not in Leicester – according to the most recent comparable figures in 2008/9.
Leicester had the worst recycling rate in the county, with 30 per cent of all rubbish recycled, while Harborough's rate was the highest, at 53.7 per cent.
The authority put the difference down to the city being an urban area with a high student population, language barriers and high-rise living.
The city's figure for 2009/10 was 39.9 per cent.
All waste in the orange bags is transported to Trafford Park, in Manchester, to be processed for recycling or to make energy.
General waste from household wheelie bins will continue to be processed locally.
About half of households use the green box scheme.
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