Figures show surge in recycling

Recycling of household waste has doubled in the last four years, according to provisional figures published today by Defra.

The figures show that English households recycled more than a fifth of their waste in 2004/05, though unaudited, the figures provide a good indication of the level of recycling achieved.

Performance around the country varies with, on average, residents in the North East recycling the least (16%) and people in East of England recycling the most (29%). The greatest leap has been in the East Midlands, up 7% on last year to 27%.

Local Environmental Quality Minister, Ben Bradshaw, said: “We've doubled the amount we recycle in just four years. These figures prove how much more people understand the importance of recycling compared to even just four years ago.

“There’s no doubt we can be proud of our progress to date, but now it's time to build on that and start catching up with some of Europe’s top recyclers. Every person in England is currently recycling enough to fill 8 green wheelie bins, but we could be recycling as much as 20 bins worth – up to 60% of our waste."

Mr Bradshaw said the 2010 target of 30% of waste being recycled should be met sooner rather than later.

According to Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), which runs the Government’s national Recycle Now campaign for England, every household could recycle up to 60% of its waste.

This is reflected in some European recycling rates: Germany recycles 57% of its waste; Netherlands recycles 64%; and Denmark 41% - levels of recycling that some English local authorities, like Lichfield, are already reaching.

A new multi-million pilot programme based on local authority household incentives is due to start in October.

The pilot will test and assess various approaches to incentivising household behaviour regards recycling.

(SP)