Local authorities in England increased their recycling and composting rate to 34.5% in 2007/08, up from 30.9% the previous year, according to latest figures.
The official statistics show that local authorities in England are closing in on the Waste Strategy target to reuse, recycle or compost 40% of household waste by 2010.
Around 90% of local authorities met or exceeded their recycling targets in 2007/08, and 94% improved on their 2006/07 recycling and composing rates. In addition, 72% of authorities sent a lower percentage of their municipal waste to landfill than in 2006/07.
Announcing the results, environment minister, Jane Kennedy, said: ‘Seeing 90% of local authorities meet or exceed their recycling targets is an important achievement. ‘These figures show many local authorities taking a real lead and I congratulate them. We need to keep this momentum going as we can all always do more.’
The highest household recycling/composting rate was 58.4% in East Lindsey District Council, which was also the most improved authority, increasing its recycling rate by over 20%.
The largest decrease in household waste to collect per head was North Cornwall District Council – a reduction of 13.6%. Overall, 90% of local authorities had less residual rubbish to collect than in 2006/07.
East Lindsey attributed its success to the introduction of alternate weekly collections and a focus on education. The council claimed top spot from North Kesteven District Council, rising from England’s 95th best recycler the previous year.
It introduced a new three-wheeled bin recycling-collection service in April 2006, which sees non-recycable waste collected one week and green waste and recycables the next.
It also launched a WRAP-funded communications campaign which alerted residents to the cost of sending waste to landfill. ‘Education has been at the heart of our approach,’ said the council’s portfolio holder for amenities, Councillor Dick Edginton. ‘We have given recycling advice to thousands of families and attended community events to encourage residents to come on board with this lifestyle changing project.’
Cllr Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association environment board, said: ‘It is pleasing to see our recycling rates increasing, but other countries on the Continent are still recycling almost twice as much. ‘It is vital we look at alternative ways to continue to improve recycling and escape these fines.’
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