District's recycling rate rises sharply

Selby District Council introduced the scheme to provide alternate weekly bin collections in the hope of avoiding having to pay the financial penalties imposed under the Government's landfill taxes.

Figures released yesterday revealed that major successes have been achieved with recycling waste plastic since the scheme was launched in October last year.

Collection crews picked up more than 46 tonnes of plastic during October, although the amount increased to nearly 57 tonnes in December – the same weight as about 40 small family cars.

The chairman of Selby District Council's environment board, Coun Chris Metcalfe, said: "These recycling figures are fantastic. It's a great increase, particularly after the unfortunate disruption to services following the recent bad weather.

"We really appreciate the patience residents have shown while we battled through the snow.

"To know that residents have really embraced the new collections and exceeded our expectations with the amount of material left out each fortnight is an excellent achievement."

The new scheme has also led to an increase in the amount of cardboard, paper, glass, cans and foil being collected directly from people's homes. Twenty per cent more paper and card was recycled in the first month of the scheme compared to the same period in 2008.

Overall, 44 per cent of household waste was recycled in October against 36 per cent for the same month the previous year.