The problem of overflowing bottle banks has become a pain in the glass in East Hampshire in recent months.

But council bosses have come up with an ideal solution – and that’s to get rid of them all.

Bottle banks will be dumped in January as East Hampshire District Council has agreed plans to make glass recycling easier.

Cabinet members have green lighted plans to make fortnightly glass collections from households from October 1.

Communal glass bins in flats or shared accommodation will also be emptied fortnightly with all residents encouraged to use the 38-litre box provided by EHDC.

The increased collections will coincide with the removal of the skip-sized banks around the district that are often quickly surrounded by a sea of empty bottles.

Some will be replaced with smaller bins for the short term but all will be removed completely by January.

The council believes East Hampshire residents shouldn’t need bottle banks if everyone is having fortnightly glass collections.

It will also stop people from leaving empty bottles on the floor, which can be hazardous to recyclers, collectors and wildlife.

“This will be a really positive change for residents and the environment,” said EHDC leader, Cllr Richard Millard.

“The problems we’ve had in keeping the skip-sized bottle banks emptied and clear of abandoned bottles are well documented.

“Once fully implemented, this solution is more convenient to residents and will end the problem of abandoned bottles completely.”

Residents who fill their glass collection bins can place their excess bottles in a similar box, but it needs to be under 5.5kg in weight for crews to safely empty it.

Crews will also empty suitably sturdy containers if people have a party and have excess glass bottles, but residents have been advised against using cardboard boxes as they often fall apart in rainfall.