Leicestershire's recycling top of the class

Leicestershire is celebrating after being crowned the top county partnership for recycling in the country. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of local residents, Leicestershire Waste Partnership has achieved a 52% recycling and composting rate. The top-notch ranking, officially confirmed by the Government, has been achieved through a combination of winning promotional campaigns as well as improvements to services.The Leicestershire Waste Partnership is made up of the County Council and Borough and District Councils.

Borough and District Councils have enhanced kerbside recycling schemes, whilst the County Council has improved facilities at recycling and household waste sites. All authorities in Leicestershire are performing well individually, but as a Partnership, the performance is rated as the best in country.

Michael Rook, Chairman of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, said: "The Partnership has worked hard to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill through innovative campaigns and improvements and I'm delighted that recycling in Leicestershire is going from strength to strength. "We will always strive to reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible and are already putting more effort into helping residents to recycle and compost more. "We have a strong partnership in Leicestershire, committed to the overall aim to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill and to recycle and compost 58% by 2017."

Tony Kershaw, Vice-Chair of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership and County Council Lead Member for Waste, added: “Through the efforts and dedication of our residents, Leicestershire has again recorded an impressive recycling rate. However, we’re not resting on our laurels. We recognise there’s much more to do to meet our aspirations and will be working hard to improve services further still.”

As well as recycling and composting, the Partnership has invested in waste prevention in order to stop waste from being created in the first place.  Over the past year, residents have been urged to reduce their food waste through making the most of leftovers, compost kitchen waste by installing a green cone or food waste digester. Waste prevention advisors have also been talking to residents at road shows about cutting waste, using reusable bags and swapping to real nappies.

For more information visit our Composting, Recycling, Reuse or Rubbish and Waste Pages