OXFORDSHIRE has been named the best performing county council waste disposal authority in England for the sixth year running.

Last year residents recycled or composted a larger proportion of their household waste than the previous year, while the national average for recycling fell, according to new government figures released on Friday.

Recycling officers at Oxfordshire County Council point to residents recycling more of their food waste as an important reason for the increase.

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Nearly 20,000 tonnes of food waste was recycled in 2018-2019 – up six per cent on the previous year.

The four district councils and the city council in Oxford operate the kerbside collections of household recycling and waste, which Oxfordshire County Council then disposes of.

Oxford Mail:

Overall 58 per cent of household waste was recycled in Oxfordshire last year, compared to 57 per cent the previous year.

The national average was only 44.8 per cent according to the new figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Individually, the four district councils and the city council have also achieved individual results above the national average.

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Yvonne Rees, chief executive at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “I would like to thank our residents who have done another great job of recycling so the county keeps the top spot in the country. Oxfordshire councils provide really good waste collection and recycling services, but it is only because most people use them properly that we’re able to perform so well.”

Waste officers at the council have said that there is still a lot more to be done to improve recycling rates and the county council is keen to see further improvements as part of its goal to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

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About half of the waste put in the general waste bin – the bin for non-recyclable materials only – could actually be recycled. Residents can use one of seven waste recycling centres.