Local Authority recycling rates continue to rise

Much of the fall in waste to landfill has been achieved through the huge achievements by local authorities. Wales has been at the forefront of that success and has just announced a rise to 49% in the quarter July to September 2011. Not only does this figure make Wales highest recycling part of the UK, but there has also been a 5% overall decline in household waste generated compared to the same period in 2010. The Local Authority achieving the highest recycling, composting and reuse rate was Denbighshire who achieved 57.8%

There is now fierce competition between local authorities for the top spot and indeed, between communities as well. The record at the moment seems to be held by Presteigne, Powys who achieved 74%. The highest English Local Authority recycling rate achieved so far has been South Oxfordshire at 70.56% but it is likely that this will be topped this year as food waste collections increase and the amount of actual waste collected from households declines.