Islington Council is crediting environmentally conscious residents and businesses for new figures showing the borough had London's fastest improving recycling rate last year.
London Councils' (formerly The Association of Local Government) pre-audited figures show that Islington's 2005/2006 recycling and composting rate was the most improved of all London's 33 boroughs.
Islington had the most improved recycling rate in terms of percentage change in London, leaping from 11 per cent in 2004/2005 to 18.3 per cent in 2005/2006 - an overall improvement of 60 per cent.
The pre-audited figures, which will be confirmed in February 2007, are being put down to increased public enthusiasm for recycling.
Islington Council introduced a number of service innovations during 2005/2006 which now makes it easier than ever for local people to recycle more of their rubbish. Plastic bottles and cardboard are now collected for the first time and all estates have access to recycling facilities. In addition, simplified collections mean that the green box, kitchen waste and green waste bags are all collected on the same day meaning fewer vehicles on the borough's roads.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for Environment, Islington Council said: "We've asked residents what they want from their recycling service, listened and taken action.
"They told us they wanted a cleaner, greener borough and would recycle more if we brought the service to their door and took their kitchen and garden waste, too.
"Local people can take pride in these figures - we've put the service in place but it wouldn't be as effective without the support of our residents."
Environmental consultants London Remade praised Islington's services saying:
"Islington is currently providing one of the widest ranges of recycling services in London. Like those living in street properties, residents on estates now enjoy a door-to-door dry scheme - that's a better level of service than in many other boroughs."
Islington has intoduced the following new innovative schemes to boost recycling:
* an improved green box scheme which now takes cardboard and plastic bottles as well as paper, glass and cans
* green waste collection and kitchen waste collection for all street properties
* door-to-door collections on HFI estates, registered social landlord and private blocks for cardboard, plastic bottles, paper, glass and cans
* a pilot commingled collection on some mini recycling facilities on estates
* a recycling bag collection scheme for residents living above shops
* a subsidised real nappy/nappy laundry service
* the new i-recycle centre for schools and community groups
* an exciting new Swapxchange website allowing residents to swap useful items they no use for things they want
* simplified collections - green box, kitchen waste and green waste bags are all collected on the same day
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008