Amounts diverted from landfill soar at Household Recycling Centres there to help residents in Worcestershire and Herefordshire

Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of their local Household Recycling Centres during 2011 where, thanks to their help, the amount of waste diverted from landfill has soared over the last six years.

A massive 80,049 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill sites last year – equivalent to 30,788 Mini Cooper cars. Since 2005 the amount of materials that enter the HRCs and is then recycled has leapt from 49 per cent to 72 per cent.

All residents in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are permitted to use the 16 centres across the two counties to deposit their household waste. A variety of different items are accepted including small batteries, textiles, shoes, foil fridges, energy bulbs, televisions and tyres. 

A dedicated section on this new website (link - http://www.letswasteless.com/cms/recycling-centres.aspx) includes a host of information on the HRCs including what materials can be accepted, how to apply for a Commercial Vehicle and Trailer (CVT) permit and maps to help people find their nearest site.

Cllr Anthony Blagg, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Waste and Sustainability, who was recently named as one of the region's Top 50 Green Leaders by Sustainability West Midlands, said: "It's really pleasing to see how many people have been using the Household Recycling Centres and it's even better to see the vast increase in the amount materials diverted from landfill sites compared to just five years ago.

"We are committed to helping residents recycle as much they possibly can across Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Everyone that's visited their local HRC has played their part. These figures are very impressive but we are aiming to make things even better in the future."

Ian Barber, Severn Waste's Marketing Director, said: "The performance of the Household Recycling Centres has been one of the great successes in our contract to date. We have significantly improved the quality of the facilities, number of receptacles available for recyclables, and staff who manage the sites. In partnership with a well-informed and motivated general public we are achieving recycling rates amongst the highest in the country."