St Edmundsbury’s new recycling scheme has proved to be a winner with residents and government officials alike.
Research was carried out last year to study local people’s recycling habits and to find out their views about the new three-bin scheme. Councillors will hear the results at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 26 January.
Waste analysis work has shown that St Edmundsbury achieved the highest collection of compostable waste in the county (68%) and managed to capture over 90% of all paper and card through the blue bin scheme.
St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath also diverted nearly 50% of their total waste (in terms of weight) to recycling and composting. This means that only half of residents’ total rubbish is now going to a landfill site. This result is even better than Daventry which recycles 43% and is considered to be one of the best performing councils in England. Local residents are also happy with the new scheme, with 81% saying they are just as satisfied as they were before or think the new service is even better.
The survey also researched people’s recycling behaviour and a special team is now carrying out a four-month campaign speaking to people face-to-face and giving recycling and composting advice.
Councillor Jeremy Farthing, Portfolio Holder for Environment, says:
“This is wonderful news to start off the new year and I want to personally thank everyone for embracing the new scheme so enthusiastically. We knew this was something that our residents wanted and we’ve worked hard to help them make it work.”
ENDS
ISSUED BY MARIA STAFF, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. maria.staff@stedsbc.gov.uk
