Residents in the Chichester District have achieved a household waste recycling rate of over 40% for the first time.

Figures released by Chichester District Council for April, May and June 2009 show that residents recycled over 3,250 tonnes of:

• Paper;
• Cardboard;
• plastic bottles;
• cans;
• and food and drink cartons;

in domestic burgundy recycling bins, and

• textiles;
• glass jars and bottles;
• and other materials in community recycling banks.

This achieved a household waste recycling rate of 30%. A further 1,120 tonnes of green waste, for conversion to compost, has been added to this total. The green waste comes from over 8,000 properties which have subscribed to the Council's successful green bin composting service. This adds an extra 10.3% to the recycling rate, making a total of 40.3%.

Councillor John Connor, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Chichester District Council, says: "We are delighted that the residents of the Chichester District have been able to reach this important milestone.

"In 2006, when we published our current Waste Minimisation Strategy, we gave ourselves the challenging target of reaching a 40% recycling rate by 2009/10. Our residents have responded magnificently to the services made available to them. They have used our recycling sites for glass, textiles and other materials, and made sure that all cardboard, paper, cans, plastic bottles and food and drink cartons are put into the burgundy bins at home.

"All of this, and the green waste collected from over 8,000 homes using our green bin service, means we are recovering valuable resources and avoiding a great deal of household waste being dumped in landfill. This is good for the environment and saves a great deal in Council Tax."