Islington's Compulsory recycling scheme already making a change, says council

Compulsory recycling in Islington is having "positive impact", according to a statement from Islington Council today. According to the release, early signs show a clear difference to recyling rates within the borough. Read on for more details.

Findings noted by the council since the scheme began in April include:

* more than 5,000 requests for extra recycling containers were made to the council when compulsory recycling was announced

* the overall tonnage of waste recycled during April-July 2011 was 7,129 tonnes, compared with 6,990 tonnes in the same period last year

* provisional recycling figures for April and May 2011 are 33.13% and 32.19%, compared with 30.4% for 2010/11 overall

* letters have been sent to 276 properties reminding householders about compulsory recycling

* follow-up letters have been sent to 30 properties warning that more effort needs to be made to recycle.  No fixed penalty notices have yet been issued

Also, the report adds that household waste recycling last year (2010-11) saved Islington more than £500,000, as recycling costs less than waste disposal.

The report concludes: "The compulsory recycling policy has had a positive impact on recycling in Islington, although we will have to ensure residents remain aware of the policy and the importance of recycling to ensure significant benefits are realised through savings in waste disposal."

Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for environment, said: "I'm very pleased with the response from residents to increase recycling.

"Islington was the London borough hardest-hit by Government cuts and recycling saves money which can be spent on local services, instead of being thrown away.

"However, we are finding a selfish few who still refuse to recycle, and in coming weeks we will be stepping up enforcement against those who refuse to do their bit to help their community save money."

People who refuse to recycle despite repeated advice face a Fixed Penalty Notice of £110.

Compulsory recycling applies to all council recycling services, including food waste where provided.  It applies to all residents, whether they have door-to-door collection or take recycling to big communal recycling bins.