The new recycling and refuse service given thumbs up and … recycling gone sky high

The joint recycling and refuse collection service has been given the thumbs up by Adur and Worthing residents, according to a survey carried out by both Adur and Worthing councils earlier in the year.

Recycling rates have reached an all time high of just under 40% which represents an increase of nearly 15% on figures before the wheelie bins were introduced in September 2007. This massive boost in recycling is thanks to the efforts of residents.

The use of wheelie bins has reduced litter on the streets and the amount of waste being taken to landfill has decreased by 11,000 tonnes. This means 1,000 fewer truck journeys taking the rubbish to the landfill site.

The councils wanted to know what residents thought about the service and a questionnaire was sent out in June to 16,735 homes in Adur and Worthing. 3,636 replies were received and the results were very positive:

· 95% rated the service excellent or good

· 91% thought they had been well informed about the service

· 90% thought the blue topped recycling bin very easy or easy to use

· 91% thought the grey topped refuse bin very easy or easy to use.

The garden waste service is particularly popular with nearly 6,000 households so far hiring a bin in addition to the thousands of garden sacks still being sold.

Keith Dollemore, Adur Cabinet Member for Clean and Green Environment, says: "I am delighted with the result. Having been working with the officers since the early days of the review, and in developing the new service, I was quietly confident in its success. Perhaps the most important service for our residents and we appear to be getting it right. It has proved to be popular with most people, even many of the early doubters. The recycling rates are phenomenal. And further improvements are planned at no additional cost to the council tax payer. I'm really proud of what the staff and residents have achieved - thank you!"

Worthing Cabinet Member for Clean and Green Environment, Clive Roberts, adds: "The results of our survey exceeded our own expectations. The new scheme appears to have achieved its original targets and has already delivered considerable savings to Council Tax payers. I am proud to be the new cabinet member for this important community service and intend to work with everyone to ensure the excellence continues to grow."

During the two years the service has been running across both Adur and Worthing, 125,000 bins have been delivered with over 100,000 leaflets explaining how the new service would work.

www.worthing.gov.uk

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