Recycling Target Achieved a Year Early

Stratford District Council has beaten the Government-set target of recycling 30% of waste produced in the financial year 2004/05. The District successfully recycled 33% of waste, and is well on its way to meeting the 40% target set for the end of financial year 2007/08.

With the support of local residents the council collects several types of waste for recycling. These materials include newspapers and magazines, glass bottles and jars, food and drink cans, textiles and green waste (garden waste). The Council is able to collect all of this waste from outside every property.

"We owe our success in reaching the target early to the way in which residents have supported the green waste for composting service," said Cllr Alan Akeister, Portfolio Holder for the Environment.

"The response has been phenomenal, and now that every property in the District can use the service we are anticipating that with the growing season in full swing we will reach 40% for April to June.

"We will shortly be announcing another recycling scheme initiative which should prove very popular with residents."

This target has been set as a part of the Council's aim to develop sustainable communities, of which the improvement of the 'green' environment is a key aspect.

It is hoped that any further increases in recycling performance will be achieved by promotion and education on the subject of sustainable communities and recycling.