The largest underground bin system in the UK has opened in Cambridge, enabling residents to put their waste down chutes outside their homes.

The system means there are no wheelie bins at the new development in Eddington as waste and mixed recycling are put into steel bins chutes set into the pavement.

Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils - via their shared waste service - will be notified when the underground chamber is full so collections only take place when needed.

Cllr Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for environmental health, said: 'This is an exciting and welcome step forward in designing in waste management needs at the planning stage for new developments, and using new technologies like fill-monitoring systems to minimise the impact of collections on traffic and emissions.'

When complete the underground banks will eliminate the need for around 9,000 wheelie bins.