Government praises Council's recycling success

Sevenoaks District Council has been praised by Elliot Morley MP, the Minister for Environment, for exceeding its recycling targets and for its 'substantial commitment' to working towards a sustainable approach to waste management.

The Council is currently recycling 21% of the total tonnage of household waste in the District and achieved the central government target of 20% well ahead of schedule.

The kerbside recycling scheme was first piloted in Sevenoaks town in 2002 and was extended to cover the whole District over the course of last summer. The Council has also recently successfully secured a grant from Central Government for £216,000 to encourage residents to use the green waste service.

Cllr Avril Hunter, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the environment, says: "We are naturally delighted to have been commended on our recycling services by the Government. I would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents who take part in our recycling schemes, as it is only with their support and enthusiasm that we are able to hit our targets. We will now continue to expand and improve our recycling initiatives and encourage the public to keep up the good work and recycle as much of their rubbish as possible."