Ref: PR2239
Date: 10/06/2009

The Council has been improving how much waste it recycles year on year and with the new weekly collections put in place faster than originally planned it has already reached a rate of 35% - putting Wakefield among the best recyclers in the region.

Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Clive Hudson said: "This is a massive step forward and we hope to improve on it even further this year. It’s with thanks to the district’s residents who continue to work with us to help us recycle more by spending the bit of time it takes to separate their recyclables and garden waste from waste that is sent to landfill.

"Recycling at home is really simple and it’s something that can involve the whole family. We encourage residents to reduce, re-use and recycle waste as much as possible – by doing this it reduces the amount of waste we produce, saves everyone money and protects the environment.

"Wakefield has so much to offer and I'm a strong believer that if we all work together, take pride in our places and say no to litter and waste, we can strengthen the area as beautiful place to live, work and visit."

The government’s national target is for Council’s to recycle 40% by 2010. In some areas of the district, since the introduction of a new bin collection service, households are recycling and composting more than 50% of their waste.

Currently most of Wakefield's rubbish is buried in holes in the ground - landfill sites – but it is estimated that 70% of what we throw away can be easily used again. And if we recycle, it means we reduce the need to use natural resources from the Earth through mining and forestry, protecting the environment and natural habitats and producing less pollution. It also means we use less energy and money when manufacturing goods – these savings are then passed back to us when buying goods.

Visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/waste (see related links) for more information, advice and guidance and to help residents and businesses with arrangements for rubbish and recycling facilities in the Wakefield district, or to find recycling centre locations and guidance on recycling so we can all help reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

Ends