Southwark residents recycled more than ever in November 2010
Published 27 January 2011
Waste and recycling figures collected in the borough indicate that Southwark’s recycling rate passed the 30% mark for the first time ever in November last year.
Figures show that Southwark's recycling rate peaked at 31.5% in November, the best ever figure.
The monthly figure for November is traditionally a high one because of the amount of leaf fall that gets collected and sent for composting, however this year's performance is some 3% better than the same period in 2009. This equates to almost 60 recycling collection vehicles worth of extra waste being recycled rather than sent to a landfill site.
The yearly recycling rate for the borough is also expected to increase this year, to around 26%.
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said:
"This is very welcome news. While this figure is only a snapshot of one month's performance, the comparison of this November figure with those of previous years shows that the council's recycling service is going in the right direction. I'd also like to thank everyone in the borough for doing their bit, because we can't achieve the improvements we're making without the collective efforts of all our dedicated recyclers."
November figures for the borough's household recycling rate from the last few years show a year on year improvement:
- 2008 to 2009: 25.8%
- 2009 to 2010: 28.41%
- 2010 to 2011: 31.44%
The 2010 to 2011 figure of 31.44% is one that reflects early analysis, before official auditing takes place, and before the final figure is confirmed in May.
In November 2009 2,917 tonnes of recycling were collected. In November 2010, 3,272 tonnes were collected. This shows an increase of 355 tonnes, which is nearly 60 trucks' worth of recycling material.
Recycling developments
In 2010, 64,000 properties in flats and on estates across Southwark benefited from more than 2,000 new communal recycling bins were installed in the first half of the year.
In 2010 the council's food waste pilot was introduced in October.
Recycling bins in busy public places were installed towards the end of 2009. Over one hundred bins were rolled out in the vicinity of Southwark's numerous high profile buildings and tourist attractions, including the Mayor of London's offices at City Hall.
