Resort not resting on laurels over recycling

But with recycling rates still worryingly low across swathes of North Yorkshire, the people behind Scarborough's dramatic transformation have warned much more needs to be done.

Coun Jonathan Dixon, cabinet member for housing, public health, property maintenance and sustainability, said: "There is still a long way to go. It is still far short of where we need to be.

"In Scarborough and North Yorkshire we were slow out of the blocks on recycling and we need to be looking over the next five to 10 years to hit the target of recycling around 70 per cent of waste.

"But we are obviously very pleased at the progress that has been made."

Since Scarborough's current kerbside recycling scheme came into being in 2007, the amount of rubbish dumped in landfill has reduced by nearly 30 per cent, while new on-street glass recycling facilities have led to an increase in glass recycling of more than 500 tonnes per year.

The council has also set up a recycling initiatives group, which is constantly looking at new ways to improve waste disposal, and has even just produced a 2011 calendar with binmen stripping off to promote recycling in the area.

Coun Dixon said: "If we are going to achieve a major improvement in recycling in North Yorkshire then we have to look at what we do with food waste, that is the main thing because it has still not been properly dealt with."

Ryedale is currently the best-performing district in North Yorkshire with a 52 per cent recycling rate.

Harrogate is the worst performing area with recycling rates in parts of the district as low as 28 per cent, although a 3m overhaul of its waste collection service is set to be agreed at a specially-arranged council meeting shortly after Christmas.