FIGURES from Mid Devon District Council show a nine per cent increase in recycling, as well as more than a 200-tonne reduction in non-recyclable waste collected, compared to the same time last year.
Initial figures in October 2022, when the Council implemented its three-weekly waste collection service, show the most significant change in non-recyclable waste collected, with a 224 tonne decrease compared to the previous year.
The Council’s recycling rate has also increased compared to the previous year’s figures for the eighth consecutive month.
The most recent figures for the first two months of the 2023/24 financial year have shown a more than four per cent rise, up to 62.20 per cent in May.
Mid Devon came in the top 15 per cent nationally for its recycling rate in the 2021/22 financial year and the Council hope to place even higher when results for the 2022/23 financial year are formally announced later this year.
Matthew Page, Mid Devon District Council’s Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste, said: “It’s fantastic to see the people of Mid Devon increasing their recycling with more containers being delivered each week to households who want to recycle more.
“By further increasing our recycling through using the right containers, especially blue caddies for food waste, Mid Devon can be a national leader in reducing its carbon footprint and help the district become both greener and cleaner.”
Councillor Josh Wright, Cabinet Member for Environment and Services, said: “These figures are really encouraging. Residents’ are encouraged to continue to do all they can to further improve the districts recycling rate.
“We all have an important role to play and can make a real positive difference to our surrounding community and environment through small, significant changes.”
If you require additional containers to aide your efforts with recycling, you can request additional containers on the Council’s website: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/do-it-online/waste-and-recycling/request-a-recycling-container/ .