HOUSEHOLDERS in Hambleton have been praised following an increase in the amount of paper and card recycled in the area.

In May this year, in an effort to reverse the declining amounts of paper being recycled in the area, Hambleton District Council introduced new larger blue recycling sacks, as well as enabling people to recycle certain types of card – such as cereal packets and ready meal sleeves – for the first time.

The council, along with its waste partner Yorwaste, shared the £40,000 cost of introducing the new sacks to all households and it has paid immediate dividends.

On average, the amount of paper/card collected from the bags has risen from 165 tonnes a month in April to 209 tonnes in October. On average, since the new sacks were introduced an extra 37.5 tonnes is now being collected and recycled each month.

“The public’s response to this new scheme has been excellent – we were asked to increase recycling facilities and they have embraced them,” said Hambleton District Council cabinet portfolio holder for waste, Councillor Brian Phillips.

“However we can always do more – there are still many households that don’t recycle paper so we urge them to start. And if there is anyone needing an extra blue bag they are available free of charge from the council.”

Tony Sharkey, Yorwaste’s director of future developments, said: “We would like to thank residents in Hambleton for their support and excellent performance in recycling their newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and grey and white card. Providing the bigger sack in the first place was one thing but they still needed to be filled and people have responded brilliantly.”

Yorwaste, on behalf of Hambleton District Council, processes and markets all recyclable material collected from kerbsides and bring banks in the area.

For extra blue bags call the council on 0845-1211-555 or call into the Civic Centre in Northallerton.