COLCHESTER has been named the most recycling conscious town in England, by a new study.

An analysis of government data revealed that Colchester came out on top for recycling, composting and reducing waste output.

This rating comes following a recently launched campaign from Colchester High School, where pupils are encouraged to learn about the environmental impact of food waste.

Colchester’s rate of waste recycled, reused or composted grew by 19.5 per cent over the last five years, whereas the rate for the whole of England decreased by 7 per cent in the same time period.

In addition, over the 12 months leading up to March, 2021, Colchester recorded a sum of 304kg waste per person.

This was 10 per cent less than five years previous, suggesting that Colchester households have become better at reducing their waste output.

Food waste disposer supplier, InSinkErator, analysed English the recycling habits of towns and cities across england, generating a ‘recycling-conscious score’.

Colchester also came out on top, with a recycling conscious score of 94 per cent. 

Gazette:

Martin Goss, the council's waste boss, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised as the most recycling conscious town in the country.

"We have worked hard to reduce the amount of waste we produce as a council and to support everyone in Colchester to recycle more and reduce their impact on the environment too.

“This latest report demonstrates just how successful these changes continue to be in helping reduce the amount of waste each household produces and encouraging residents to recycle more.

“But we are not complacent and believe we can all do even more to reduce the volume of waste we generate whilst increasing the amount we recycle.

"We all need to do our bit to tackle the waste problem, and the council has led and will continue to help lead the way for Colchester.”

The top five most recycling-conscious areas in England were as follows:

  1. Colchester
  2. Torridge
  3. Bath and North East Somerset
  4. Stroud
  5. Adur

The five least recycling-conscious areas in England were as follows:

  1. Middlesborough
  2. Knowsley
  3. Blackpool
  4. South Tyneside
  5. Liverpool

 

Susie Burrage, Ambassador & Board member of the Global Recycling Foundation, said: “The biggest impact of household waste not being recycled or composted effectively is increased volumes being sent to landfill."