Minister praises Kents rising recycling rate

Alongside the increase in the amount recycled from 41% in 2012/13 to 44.9% for the first three quarters in 2013/14, the Partnership has achieved a 2.3 million net benefit. This is against a predicted 60 million net benefit by 2022/23 which was announced at KRPs annual conference as a result of two major projects over the next decade the East Kent Project and the Mid Kent Project.

Commenting on the KRPs progress, resource minister Dan Rogerson said: This is a great initiative that has helped boost recycling in the local area. KRPs actions have not only made it easier for people to recycle, but also helped achieve both financial and environmental benefits for the community.

Councillor David Brazier, KRP vice-chair, added: The KRPs performance is increasing at a time when national performance is flatlining. Through our projects the KRP recycling rate increased from 41% in 2012/13 to 44.9% in 2013/14 to date. Thats a remarkable testament to the joint working across Kent.

Benefits

According to the KRP, both projects set out to reduce the costs of delivering local waste and recycling services while raising the areas recycling rates. In addition to the 60 million net benefit over the period 2010/11 to 2022/23, 7 million has been spent on waste receptacles for residents. This was funded by the county council through avoided costs elsewhere.

Speaking at a launch event today (March 13) councillor Paul Barrington-King said: The KRP exists to serve the interests of Kent taxpayers. Todays announcement is a win win of effective financial oversight along with strong environmental performance. 60 million is equivalent to 146 per household across East and Mid Kent. I am delighted district and county councillors and colleagues took forward the hard decisions to deliver these creditable achievements.

The Mid Kent Waste Partnership signed a 10-year contract with waste contractor Biffa in October 2012, which has seen recycling rates in the area increase after a new service was rolled out. Among the councils in the partnership is Ashford borough council, which has previously been dubbed Englands worst recycling local authority after achieving a recycling rate of 11.9% in 2012/13. Since the Biffa-run service began in the borough in July 2013, the council has reported a recycling rate of over 50% (see letsrecycle.com story).

The KRP represents 13 councils in Kent in respect to their functions for waste collections, waste disposal and street cleansing. The 13 Kent councils are: Ashford borough council; Canterbury city council; Dartford borough council; Dover district council; Gravesham borough council; Kent county council; Maidstone borough council; Sevenoaks district council; Shepway district council; Swale borough council; Thanet district council; Tonbridge & Malling borough council; and, Tunbridge Wells borough council.