Milton Keynes Leads the Way on Recycling Litter

9.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Oct 2006

Milton Keynes has moved back to the top of recycling innovation with the introduction of a new 'double whammy' on recycling litter.

Cllr Douglas McCall recycles his newspaper

The Council is introducing 50 new 'dual purpose' bins right across the Borough, which have one compartment for recycling and one for refuse. Also, more than 60 litter-picking staff will be separating rubbish from recyclables while they are out 'on the job'. All this will help to increase recycling volumes.

Official figures for 2005/06 show that the Milton Keynes recycling rate was 31.5% of the total of household waste collected. That figure is set to rise to 36% over the next year.

Councillor Douglas McCall, Liberal Democrat cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: "We are one of the first authorities to begin to split our litter between refuse and recyclables right at 'the source''.

"This new initiative, together with our other recycling efforts, such as the ever-popular pink sack scheme, will continue to help us push up recycling rates in Milton Keynes."