Carisbrooke Avenue in Thorntree was chosen for the sample as a street with enough houses - 169 - to give a clear picture of the situation.

On first inspection it was found the majority were being used correctly though about a quarter had some waste which can't be recycled.

Each household was also given a sticker to put on their bin to remind them of what should and shouldn't go in.

On the second visit the number of recycling bins being used incorrectly had nearly halved.

Reminders and guidance is now being given to improve recycling across Middlesbrough.

Do recycle: cartons, cans, plastic food containers and bottles, mixed glass bottles and jars, newspapers and magazines, paper and cardboard.

Don't recycle: takeaway pizza boxes, food waste, nappies, textiles, carrier bags, plastic film or wrapping, sweet or crisp packets.

Middlesbrough Council's Environmental Education Officer Sam Garside said: "We are looking at people's recycling bins to make sure that they've got the correct material in.

"A lot of the bins have been absolutely perfect, all the right materials in - plastic bottles, milk cartons, cardboard - that's how we want to see them.

"What we don't want to see in your bin are the wrong things, we don't want to see clothing, we don't want to see pizza boxes - any form of takeaway containers, we don't want to see any nappies.

"It's really, really important people put the right material in their blue-lidded recycling bin and if you need any help with that you can contact the council and we can come and have a chat with you."

For more information on the do and don'ts of recycling visit What goes in my bins? | Middlesbrough Council