Oldham second-bottom of recycling league

LESS household waste is recycled or composted across Oldham than almost anywhere else in the North-West, the Government revealed last night.

Official figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show only 20.04 per cent of all household waste was recycled in Oldham up to April, this year.

This made Oldham Council the second worst performers across the region for 2007/08 with only Knowsley Council on Merseyside recording a lower rate (18.4 per cent).

However, figures for the previous 12 months show Oldham on 15.5 per cent, so improvements are being made.

And council chiefs insist things have improved even more since the beginning of April when the figures end.

They say new figures for the first half of the year reveal 27 per cent of all domestic waste collected by the council was recycled.

Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, said: “I would like to say a big thank-you to all residents for the way they have taken to recycling.

“Over the last six months, the recycling rate has increased significantly and has included 15 tonnes of food waste a day along with 150 tonnes of paper and cardboard.

“The council has done extensive work to devise the most environmentally-friendly collection routes to reduce the carbon footprint of the service.”

“Residents have played a massive part in the implementation and success of the recycling service.

“With their support, the council has been able to reduce waste sent to landfill by more than 3,000 tonnes — in the process doubling the recycling rate.”

Neighbouring Rochdale recycles 24.81 per cent, while 27.9 per cent is recycled in Tameside.

Carlisle is the best performing council across the North-West with 48.74 per cent of household waste being recycled or composted.

Environment Minister Jane Kennedy said: “Recycling is now part of everyday life in this country and the way we think about waste has changed.

“Putting local councils in the driving seat is delivering results.

“The Government remains committed to supporting local authorities in continuing this revolution in recycling.”