RESIDENTS are recycling more than ever before according to new figures from Essex County Council.

More than 262,000 tonnes of waste from across the county was recycled or composted between April 2007 and March this year, up four per cent on the previous year.

In Basildon, 17,000 tonnes of rubbish was recycled, increasing the amount of waste recycled or composted from 27 per cent in June last year to 32 per cent this year.

In comparison Rochford Council only managed to recycle 19 per cent of its rubbish - up two per cent on last year - but plans to launch an improved kerbside collection service later this month.

Castle Point residents recycled more than 6,000 tonnes of waste, increasing from 25 per cent to 27 per cent this year.

Councils remain on course to meet a 40 per cent Government recycling target by 2010, with Essex as a whole recycling 38 per cent of all its rubbish, exceeding its own target of 30 per cent.

Recycling rates are being increased nationally to fend off increased landfill taxes imposed by the EU by 2010.

Tracey Chapman, cabinet member for environment and waste, said the county council was looking to reach a 60 per cent target.

She added: "To achieve a county-wide increase on total waste recycled is testimony to the efforts of Essex residents.

"My thanks go to all residents who are taking the time to recycle and for all the hard work local councils are doing to ensure we hit our ambitious targets."

4:07am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Print

Email this