Larne has NI’s most improved recycling rate

Larne Borough Council is Northern Ireland’s most improved local authority in terms of recycling rates, it has been revealed.

New figures published in the NI Local Authority Collected Municipal Waste Management Statistics annual report 2011/12 show that Larne Council has increased the overall amount of waste sent for recycling or composting by almost 15 per cent since 2010/11 - a success that is unmatched by any other district council in the province.

And Larne was also one of the top two most improved district councils in terms of household waste sent for recycling or composting, with an increase of over seven per cent between 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Chief executive of Larne Council, Geraldine McGahey described the statistics as “a fantastic recognition of the vision and commitment of elected members and the dedication and effort of staff, who secured funding close to £500,000 to roll out key projects across the borough”.

Mrs McGahey told the Times that a number of initiatives helped to ensure the Council’s success over the past year, including the new household recycling centre in Larne, the introduction of glass collection via blue bins, and a contract which sees black bag waste disposed at recycling centres being sent for processing.

And the Council expects its recycling rates to improve even more in 2013, due to the roll out of kerbside glass collection and a new contract which will enable additional materials to be added to the blue bin.

Mrs McGahey added: “Of course, key to all of this activity is the continued enthusiasm and interest of residents. Once the new measures are in place we will be once again be engaging with, and aiming to motivate, all residents to maximise their recycling.

“Many people do not realise that it is possible to recycle up to 90 per cent of household waste so it remains a priority for the Council to ensure that residents are informed about the benefits of recycling and encouraged to play their part in improving Larne’s recycling rates even further in 2013.”