The Harrogate district is reducing waste and recycling more than ever before according to the latest figures from Harrogate Borough Council.
Between 1 April and 30 June 2014 (quarter one)
- Recycling and composting rates exceeded 47%
- a record for the district and
- an increase of almost 7% compared to the same period last year
During the first quarter of 2014, the council collected around 1,300 extra tonnes of recyclable materials and green waste compared to the first quarter of 2013.
Since introducing a wheeled bin/recycling alternative weekly service the council has helped achieve savings to the tax payer of over £725,000 annually, and this figure is set to grow with increased recycling helping to further reduce landfill costs and taxes.
Councillor Phil Ireland, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Transport and External Affairs is grateful to the district’s resident’s for embracing the council’s efforts to reduce waste sent to landfill and increase recycling: We introduced a revised collection service in July 2012 with certain goals in mind – to reduce the amount of waste sent to land fill, increase recycling, help reduce pollution and save the taxpayer money.
Since adopting the service recycling rates have steadily grown. Our target for recycling in quarter one this year was 41.5%, so these latest results of 47.18% are very welcome and have exceeded our expectations.
I would like to thank residents for all their help. Their actions are benefiting the environment and helping us to achieve significant savings for the tax payer. We are keen to receive feedback on how we can further improve our waste and recycling scheme and have launched a survey which will enable us to consider any improvements or future developments for the service.
The waste collection service survey is available to complete on the council’s website at: http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/cpi/Pages/Have-your-say.aspx