Cotswold 2nd in the league for recycling in the UK

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Cotswold 2nd in the league for recycling in the UK

Official figures released by DEFRA reveal that Cotswold District Council�s recycling and composting rates are amongst the highest in the country and are the highest in the South of England and Wales.

Cotswold residents recycled and composted 61% of household waste during 2008 to 2009 - making the District one of the highest performing councils in the UK and second overall in the recycling league table. The figures also showed that during July to September 2008, Cotswold District Council�s recycling and composting rate was the highest in the UK at 69%.

This high recycling and composting rate is twice the rate achieved by most other councils and twice the Government�s target.

Cotswold District Council introduced a new recycling collection service in June 2008 and it was soon clear that incredible recycling and composting rates would be achieved. The new service included the introduction of cardboard and kitchen waste collections from the kerbside as well as paper, tins, glass and garden waste. In addition the number of plastic bottle recycling bring banks was increased to 30.

But it is Cotswold residents who have been vital to the success of the scheme; many of whom understand the importance of recycling and composting and how it contributes to protecting the environment. Diana Ray is a Cotswold resident who is a keen recycler, and she explains:

�When I compare our District with nearby ones it shocks me how much waste is going to landfill. It hasn�t been much of an effort for me as a householder to be part of the scheme and contribute to the good standard of recycling.�

The new recycling and composting scheme cost the Council nearly �1 million to introduce but has already saved hundreds of thousands of pounds in landfill taxes. Mark Tufnell, Cotswold District Council�s Lead Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Communities, said:

�We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short space of time by becoming one of the country�s best recycling authorities. We achieved this by introducing a new waste collection service and making sure we fully explained the new scheme to our residents before it was implemented as well as answering queries throughout the year. The waste team and our front of house staff have worked tirelessly to keep the message of �reduce, reuse and recycle� in the forefront of residents� minds. And the key to it all has been that Cotswold residents themselves are also keen to recycle.�

�Cotswold District is a beautiful part of the country and, together with our residents, we want to keep it that way. We are not resting on our laurels though, as we want to keep putting out the message that our residents should continue to recycle as much as possible in order to reduce the cost both to the environment and council tax-payers.�

Cotswold District Council recycled and composted 61% of household waste from April 2008 to March 2009. National recycling rates are available from DEFRA at:
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/bulletin09qtr.htm

Further information about recycling can be found at:
www.recycleforgloucestershire.com

Press enquiries should be directed to Jon Pugh at Cotswold District Council on 01285 623 169


Posted : 26/07/2009 00:00:58

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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