Refuse changes 'boost recycling'

Councils that have switched from weekly to fortnightly rubbish collections achieve higher recycling rates, a study has suggested. It shows an average recycling rate of 30% for these councils, compared with 23% for those that had not switched.

The LGA, which represents local councils in England, said such an increase in recycling across the country would save taxpayers about £22m a year in taxes on landfill. LGA chairman Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "With landfill taxes set to rise dramatically in the coming five years, there will be more and more pressure on councils to cut the amount of rubbish that gets thrown into landfill."

Local authorities that have switched to fortnightly collections tend to alternate the collection of general refuse with that of recyclables such as paper or garden waste.

View Full Article 25^th April 2007

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