The introduction of the Twin Bin service has resulted in a boost to the recycling rate for St Alban’s City and District and a significant reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.

The recycling rate has increased, from 36.35% to 47.44% of waste over the last year, according to provisional figures. This means residents are on track to meet St Albans City and District Council’s recycling target of 50% of waste by 2010/11.

The amount of waste that was sent by the council to landfill last year fell by almost 6,000 tonnes, down from 33,849.68 tonnes in 2007/8 to 27,904.28 tonnes of waste to landfill in the year 2008/9.

The council will be rewarded with a payment of £300,198 from Hertfordshire County Council for meeting landfill reduction targets.

Cllr Mike Ellis, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability at St Albans City and District Council, said: “I warmly congratulate our residents on their achievement. They have made a significant contribution to the environment by reducing our landfill by almost 20% in a year when the new service was being put in place. They have increased the recycling rate by nearly a third. We are on track to reach our recycling target and to becoming one of the best recyclers in the county and country.”

The Twin Bin service was introduced in the district last year. Under the service, the black wheeled bins containing non-recyclable household waste are emptied one week and the green wheeled bins containing garden waste, cardboard and card are emptied the following week. Food waste is collected every week as it can be placed in either bin.

For more information about recycling go to: http://www.recyclingforapremier.com/

Member contact:
Cllr Mike Ellis, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability at St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 739796

Contact for the press:
Amanda Wilkinson, communication officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317 E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk www.stalbans.gov.uk