Rubbish idea wins award for partnership

A PIONEERING Oldham scheme to boost recycling has bagged another award.

The compostable carrier bag initiative between Oldham Council and the Co-operative has been honoured at the Association for Organics Recycling Awards.

The bags are sold for 6p in Co-op stores in the borough and can be used in the council’s food waste collection.

The scheme is the first in the UK and more than 60,000 bags have been sold since it was launched in January, 2010.

It picked up the local authority partnership award.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for citizens and neighbourhoods, said: “In the last four years our residents have helped the borough jump from bottom to third place in Greater Manchester’s recycling table.

“Pioneering schemes such as this can only help us improve our position.

“The borough is an innovator when it comes to waste management and this scheme has made it much easier and simpler for citizens to recycle food waste.

“This award is excellent news and is confirmation of the quality recycling service provided to people by Oldham Council.”

In November the scheme won a Green Apple from the independent Green Organisation environment group.