Three Rivers is top of the recycling charts in England

Newly released government figures  show that Three Rivers District Council in Hertfordshire is the top performing authority in England for household recycling and composting.

The district recorded a rate of 63.5% for the amount of household waste recycled and composted in 2021/22 in the figures published today (24 March) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This is the second year Three Rivers has had the highest household waste recycling rate in England, having been in the top spot in 2019/20 and the third highest recycling rate overall in 2020/21.

Defra collates recycling performance data from all local authorities on an annual basis. This year Three Rivers improved its score compared to 2020/21 by 0.4%, taking it to the top of the league table.

Cllr Phil Williams, the council’s Lead Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, said the district had managed to become such a successful place to recycle thanks to wide public awareness and effective and efficient teams of waste collection crews.

He said: “We have to thank our residents in a great way, because they really understand the importance of recycling and are dedicated to it. The council as a whole has such a strong ethos of sustainability, our staff working tirelessly make sure bins are collected, avoiding contamination. That ethos runs throughout the organisation and the district, and I think that is why we have had such a fantastic result.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Sarah Nelmes, added: “We have been in the top ten recycling authorities for the past ten years – and I am immensely proud of that fact. It is great that this year we have once again returned to the top of the list. This is no accident, it is thanks to the wide dedication of the council and of our residents and I congratulate all involved and thank everyone for their efforts. Recycling and composting are so vital in our effort to keep resources in use for longer as we work to protect our planet.”

A further initiative run by the council to encourage recycling and reuse is a free home textiles collection service. The council also encourages people to think about other items they can recycle by using information at www.recyclenow.com  and www.wasteaware.org.uk .

For more information on what to recycle, how to recycle, and reducing waste visit www.threerivers.gov.uk/recycle .

PHOTO: Cllr Phil Williams, Lead Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, Elen Roberts, Climate Change, Sustainability, and Recycling Officer, Jennie Probert, Environmental Strategy Manager and Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Council Leader.