Oxfordshire has been named the best performing county council waste disposal authority in England for its recycling rates during 2017/18. The success reflects Oxfordshire County Council’s commitment to work with districts to protect the environment.
Figures published on Tuesday 11 December by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show that Oxfordshire is the highest performing disposal authority, ahead of Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.
Oxfordshire is ‘top of the pops’ in two categories:
- The highest proportion of waste which is reused, recycled and composted (57.2%)
- The lowest amount of general waste (non-recyclable waste) produced per household (430kg).
Councillor Yvonne Constance, county council member for the environment, said
“I would like to commend our residents who take the time to recycle. Oxfordshire councils provide a comprehensive range of services to encourage recycling, but it is only through people doing their bit and using these services correctly that we’re able to perform so well in recycling and reducing waste.”
All Oxfordshire Councils recycled over 50% in 2017/18, (the national recycling rate is 45%). Oxford City is one of the best performing cities in England, and Oxfordshire district councils are three of the top four best performing councils in the South East.
Oxfordshire residents are not only great at recycling, but also very good at not producing waste in the first place. Each person produces around 420kgs of waste (recyclable and non- recyclable) each year. Funded by the County Council, Oxfordshire’s Community Action Groups (www.CAGoxfordshire.org.uk) support communities to take action across the county on a wide range of environmental topics, including waste, transport and energy.
There are also Oxfordshire-wide food waste recycling collections. Food that can’t be eaten is converted to renewable energy and compost, meaning big benefits for the environment and savings for the council. Only around half of councils in England offer this service, and this year Oxfordshire councils collected the highest level of food waste yet, up 16.9% (compared to a 12.4% rise nationally). The councils want to do better though, and know that around a quarter of the general waste bin is food waste that could have been recycled.
The county has seven Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) that provide recycling facilities for a wide range of items, from batteries to clothes, fridges to plastic garden furniture. They accept over 350 different waste streams, recycling around 60% of the waste accepted.
“We’re not complacent,” says Councillor Constance. “Oxfordshire councils are working together to build on our success. We’re determined to further reduce waste and recycle even more. Everyone can play their part.
“Check your local council website; make sure you’re recycling everything you can. Look for tips on how to reduce the amount of waste your household produces. Help us to stay top of the pops!”
For further information about Oxfordshire County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/waste