MORE waste in Richmondshire is being recycled than ever before, according to new figures.

The district’s recycling rate between July and September 2008 was more than 46 per cent – more than 10 per cent higher than the same period in 2007 – and well on track to beat the end-of-year target.

The figures, in a report to Richmondshire District Council’s Strategy Board, show that between July and September 2007, 3,185 tonnes of waste was sent to landfill sites. But a year later, after the expansion of district-wide alternate weekly collections, that figure fell to just 2,517 tonnes.

It is excellent news that our recycling rate has increased by more than ten per cent. Sending less rubbish to landfill not only helps save the environment, it also helps save taxpayers’ money.

Mick Griffiths - Richmondshire District Council

The amount of recycling collected at the kerbside in the same period increased from 558 tonnes to 895 tonnes, and the amount of garden waste from 784 tonnes to 1,354 tonnes.

In September 2007, alternate weekly collections were introduced to about 11,500 properties in Richmondshire. That scheme was expanded in June 2008, to the remainder of the district – about 10,500 properties. One major issue in the second phase was concerns surrounding “lane end” collections. The report recommends that that particular aspect of the alternate weekly collection policy be looked at again, with 289 “land end” properties undergoing a detailed assessment. The report also recommends carrying out a survey to gain feedback on how the new scheme is working.

Councillor Mick Griffiths, the Council’s spokesperson for Green Living, said: “It is excellent news that our recycling rate has increased by more than ten per cent. Sending less rubbish to landfill not only helps save the environment, it also helps save taxpayers’ money.

“The change has not been an easy one, and although the new collections are working well in the majority of cases, there are some areas that we want to assess more closely. That said, the overall recycling figures are really encouraging, and reflect the hard work and commitment of everyone in Richmondshire to cut down the amount of rubbish we send to landfill.”