Mid Devon recycling up

New regime boosts rate to 62 per cent

Recycling rates are on the rise in Mid Devon following the introduction of a new collection routine.

The district launched something they call ‘Bin It 123’ in October, meaning general black-bag waste is now picked up every three weeks. Food waste is collected weekly, while dry recycling and (chargeable) garden waste collections are every fortnight.

It was introduced to help Mid Devon’s household recycling rate. In the most recent figures for 2021/22 this was 54 per cent – around the average for Devon’s councils.

The authority wants to increase rates to 60 per cent by 2025 and 65 per cent by 2035 – in line with both Devon and national targets, and interim figures reveal recycling was up to 62 per cent in May.

Non-recyclable waste has reduced by 224 tonnes compared to the previous year.

Councillor Josh Wright (Lib Dem, Silverton), Mid Devon’s cabinet member for environment and services, said: “These figures are really encouraging. Residents are encouraged to continue to do all they can to further improve the districts recycling rate.

“We all have an important role to play and can make a real positive difference to our surrounding community and environment through small, significant changes.”

Matthew Page, corporate manager for people, governance and waste, added: “It’s fantastic to see the people of Mid Devon increasing their recycling with more containers being delivered each week to households who want to recycle more.

“By further increasing our recycling through using the right containers, especially blue caddies for food waste, Mid Devon can be a national leader in reducing its carbon footprint and help the district become both greener and cleaner.”

Mid Devon is looking to move to weekly recycling collections at some point. Earlier this year it agreed to carry out a three-month trial before next April at an estimated cost of £30,000.

According to the Devon Authorities’ strategic waste committee, Mid Devon and Exeter are the only two districts in Devon which still collect dry recycling fortnightly. The others collect theirs weekly.

But the change is likely to be expensive, potentially costing the council an extra £1.4 million per year.