Recycling rates have improved in each region from 2001/2 to 2006/7. This is almost certainly because of recycling schemes that have been put in place by both the government and local councils.
Figures for 2001/2 vary quite considerably from 44% of recycled waste from the Daventry District Council (DDC), right down to 3.5% from Corby Borough Council (CBC). The Kettering Borough Council (KBC) districts recycling figure is also substantially lower than the rest, at 4%. Reasons for this could be linked to accessibility to recycling points are both districts are relatively geographically close, or that recycling has not been encouraged in these areas.
Since 2001/2 KBC has had the biggest increase in the percentage of recycling rates up to 2006/7. Living in Kettering myself I have noticed a huge difference in my own household as to the way waste is disposed of and certainly an increase in the amount we recycle. KBC has increased awareness of the importance of recycling by introducing designated recycling bins, issuing information leaflets about what can and cannot be recycled, and making sites where recyclable waste can be taken to should it need to be.
DDC had the highest percentage rate of recycling by far at 44% in the year 2001/2. It is questionable as to how CBC and KBC had such low rates of recycling in comparison to DDC in this same year. Its likely that recycling in the area was encouraged earlier than those districts in the rest of the county.
It is clear to see that throughout Northamptonshire and through knowledge that recycling rates have improved in the past 10 years. However improvements are always welcomed within the idea of sustainability.
Ways in which rates could be improved in a specific district further, is advising local retailers to package their products in recyclable packaging. In the past couple of years, certain large retailers have encouraged this, however when shopping in those stores unnecessary packaging is still used, most of which is unable to be recycled.
CBC does in fact provide residents with compost boxes if they request one and this if helping to increase the recycling rate of the Corby district. However some people are unaware that these are available free from their local councils upon request. If each council gave out compost boxes as they did with recycling boxes, it is likely that people will use them as they did with the recycling boxes.
1 comment:
It's a long process to change the behaviour of people. It's not the role of the local authority to do this but they should make it easier for us who want to change.
Good to see somewhere is getting it right.
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