Minister invited to witness recycling growth (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Minister invited to witness recycling growth

May 17, 2006 3:40 PM

Cllr Christian Vassie making use of his new green bin

York has made huge improvements in recycling since 2003

Cllr Andrew Waller (City of York Council Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability) has today written to DEFRA Minister Ben Bradshaw MP to invite him to see for himself the huge progress made on recycling in York since 2003.

Cllr Waller said "I really hope the Minister can find the time to visit us, as we have made so much progress in the last three years. In particular, I think the introduction of cardboard collections will encourage even more residents to take part.

"It is also important for Ministers to acknowledge that excellence requires funding - and we could do huge amounts more if our funding for recycling programmes was increased by just 10%."

ENDS

The invitation was issued in response to a DEFRA press release which incorrectly identified York as a poor performer on recycling. The Minister was setting a target for York of 20%, even though York achieved 24% by April 2006, and is aiming for a huge 36% recycling rate by next year.

The full text of the letter (sent 17th may 2006):

Dear Mr Bradshaw

I read with interest your press release (issued 15th May) which referred to the extra help which you would provide to councils across the country to help them reach a target of 20% for recycling.

Whilst I applaud your desire to raise recycling, I would like to inform you that York has already achieved your target and more.

City of York Council recycled 24% of all household waste in 2005/06. We are aiming for 36% by April 2007. We have extended kerbside collections of recyclables from 25% to 90% of households. We have added collections of plastics to the kerbside, and introduced a green bin collection of garden waste.

We are now rolling out the doorstep collection of cardboard. Last week saw York's highest ever recorded collection of recyclables. In a single week, 209 tonnes of paper, glass, cardboard and tins were collected, along with an additional 419 tonnes of garden waste.

Speaking of landfill fines, it is worth noting that the City of York Council has paid £9 million of Landfill Tax to the government since 1996, but has received only £1.5 million back to invest in recycling and other waste reduction measures. If this money were retained by the authority, recycling rates could be increased hugely.

Indeed, perhaps the Minister could pledge that York can redraw its budget, and keep the £1.6 million we will pay to your government this year alone? We would be only too happy to accept a condition which stated that all monies must be reinvested in recycling provision.

In conclusion, I would like to extend a warm invitation to you to visit York, and to see the recent changes we have made in recycling. I am sure you would not fail to be impressed.

With best wishes,

Councillor Andrew Waller

Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability