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Somerset - recycling tops 50% for first time
The 2007/8 figures reveal that 51% of materials disposed of through household waste services were saved from landfill. Somerset was already well ahead of the national average of waste being recycled, so this latest improvement is doubly good news.
“That’s the equivalent of around 1 tonne of waste every four minutes being kept out of county landfill sites, which is tremendous,” said a delighted Nigel Woollcombe-Adams, Chair of Somerset Waste Partnership. “But this is not about celebrating the numbers, good as they are. This is really about the people of Somerset, supported by Somerset Waste Partnership, valuing their local environment and making the effort to make a difference. While there is much more that can and must be done, this bodes well for the future.”
The figures for Somerset have been submitted for national league tables which will be available later in the year. In 2006/07 the national average percentage of waste recycled was around 31%, when Somerset had the second highest county recycling rate.
Steve Read, Managing Director of Somerset Waste Partnership explained how this landmark was reached. “Simply, people in Somerset care about their environment and understand the need to build a sustainable future. At Somerset Waste Partnership we recognise that and by providing pioneering recycling services, enable householders to recycle more.”
Right now, along with the wide range of materials already collected at the kerbside (paper, glass, food and drink cans, clothes and shoes and car batteries, along with food waste in many areas), Somerset Waste Partnership are also trialling collections of plastic bottles and cardboard in selected areas in a scheme called SORT IT PLUS. Results from the trial will be analysed later in the year and used to inform decisions for future developments.
28 May 2008
For further details contact Mark Blaker
01823 625714
Email: mark.blaker@somersetwaste.gov.uk
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