CHICHESTER District Council residents have increased the household recycling rate to 45 per cent.

Since the council launched its recycling campaign in 2016, the recycling rate has increased from 39 per cent to 45 per cent.

There has also been a significant reduction in the amount of household waste, which has fallen by 11 per cent, which equates to 64kg of waste per household.

CDC cabinet member for residents services councillor Roger Barrow, said: “We want to say a huge thank-you to our residents for making such a difference and we want to urge them to keep up the good work.

“Our aim is to recycle 50 per cent of waste by 2020 and with everyone’s continued support I think we can achieve this.

“We’ve tried to make recycling easier for people and have run various initiatives across the district, and so hopefully people feel as though this has made a real difference.

“We also relaunched our garden recycling service.

“The garden waste collected not only contributes to our recycling rate, but it is recycled locally into compost. This has been a huge success.

“Customers receive a green wheeled bin, which is emptied every two weeks for less than £1 a week when paid by direct debit.

“It makes a huge difference because you no longer have to move bags of garden waste to the tip and you’re also making a massive contribution in helping us to recycle waste.”

To celebrate the increase in recycling, Chichester District Council is offering new customers three months’ free if they sign up for the service online at www.chichester.gov.uk/gardenrecycling and use the promotional code GAR DEN186.

The council is also busy planning activities and events with the West Sussex Waste Partnership for Recycle Week 2018, which takes place from September 24-30.

•See www.chichester.gov.uk for details.