Dorset Waste Partnership ranked second across the South West for recycling rates

Figures from DEFRA show the percentage of household waste send for reuse, recycling or composting across England.

In the financial year to March 31 2017, DWP recycled 59.4 per cent of its household waste, a close second behind Cotswold District Council at 59.6 per cent.

The South West is the only one of nine English regions to have achieved a consistent year-on-year increase in its household recycling rates over the past seven years.

In the South West 14 of the 35 local authorities in 2016/17 exceeded the national target of 50 per cent by 2020.

Cllr Tony Alford, chairman of the Dorset Waste Partnership’s joint committee, said: "We’re obviously delighted with this result. It’s also important to note that, when looking at comparable organisations that deliver a county-wide waste collection and disposal service, the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) is now the best-performing authority in the entire country. This is a fantastic achievement that Dorset residents should be proud of.

"But we’re still working hard to help residents reduce the amount of waste thrown away and recycle what cannot be re-used. Behind the scenes, we are working on improving our collection rounds and infrastructure, as well as finding new ways to tackle issues such as litter and fly-tipping.

"With high rates of customer satisfaction also being reported, we would like to once again thank Dorset residents for their waste reduction and recycling efforts.”

David Palmer-Jones, CEO of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, added: "Annual Household recycling rates in England rose by 0.6 per cent last year (year to end-December 2016) to 44.9 per cent, up from 44.3 per cent in 2016, only after DEFRA altered the statistical method to included metals recovered post incineration (IBA).

"Stripping out IBA material and on a like-for-like basis, recycling rates rose to 44.2 per cent from 43.9 per cent in 2015.

"Recycling rates peaked at 44.8 per cent in 2014. The England waste from households recycling rate (excluding IBA metal) has risen only 1.1 per cent in the past four years having reached 44.1 per cent 2012 and 44.2 per cent in 2013.

"To reverse declines radical policy change is needed and targeted at the most populous areas – England and in particular London and the South East.

"Some areas have shown high performance can be achieved. The South West is the only one of nine English regions to have achieved a consistent year-on-year increase in its household recycling rates over the past seven years. In the South-West 14 of the 35 local authorities in 2016/17 exceeded the national target of 50 per cent by 2020."