Less of our rubbish is going to waste

OLDHAM’S recycling rate is on the rise thanks to residents efforts to become more environmentally friendly.

Figures show that in the first half of 2008, 27 per cent of all domestic waste collected by the council was recycled.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “I would like to say a big thank-you to all residents for the way that 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 services success.

“With their support the council has been able to reduce by over 3,000 tonnes the waste that is sent to landfill and in the process doubling the recycling rate.”

Last year, Oldham had one of the worst recycling rates in the country at 15.5 per cent.

A survey by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs placed the town sixth from bottom of a national table of shame just ahead of Middlesborough, Wirral, Newham, Liverpool and Tower Hamlets.

The council has introduced a number of schemes over the past 12 months, such as fortnightly bin collections and extra containers to separate paper, glass, plastic and tin in a bid to up the town’s rate.