Information on Loughborough

Survey reveals what’s in the bin

Posted on 04/11/2008

Leicestershire residents are recycling more than five kilograms of waste each week, according to a recent survey.

The new findings show that more than two-thirds of residents are making use of kerbside recycling schemes for paper, card, cans, glass, plastic and garden waste.

The study, which will help inform decisions about future waste services and facilities, reveals that households throw away a further 8.3kg each week of general rubbish - consisting mainly of food, nappies and carrier bags.

The 12-month research also shows that an average visitor to a Recycling and Household Waste Site disposed of 21kg of material that was made up of black sack waste, carpet, furniture, DIY rubble and wood.

The survey involved four seasonal collections from around 200 houses in Melton, Coalville, Narborough, Loughborough and South Wigston and seven Recycling and Household Waste Sites.

The findings are pleasing and will help the County, District and Borough Councils make improvements to services and tailor future campaigns to boost recycling awareness.

Nicholas Rushton, County Council Deputy Leader with responsibility for Waste and Chairman of The Leicestershire Waste Partnership, said: "In addition to providing us with valuable information on waste composition across the County, this study reinforces why Leicestershire is one of the highest performing counties in the country for recycling, with significant public support for recycling services."

The surveys were carried out by the County Council with the support of the seven District and Borough Councils.

Notes:

Copies of the final reports available on the Leicestershire Waste Partnership site

The 5.5kg of recycled waste is made up of 3.9kg of paper, card, plastic, cans and glass and 1.6kg of garden waste.

5.5kg is equivalent to five and a half bags of sugar - just under one stone.

The average amount of total waste collected from each household in Leicestershire is 13.8kg - the average for England is 16kg.

The survey showed that more affluent households produced less waste than less affluent homes.