Cherwell District Council has achieved a 50 per cent waste recycling rate for the first time.
The council was ranked 21st out of 349 local authorities, with a recycling rate of 51.36 per cent in 2009-10. This put it second in the South East.
Officials said a food waste recycling scheme for homes had pushed up the rate from 49.66 per cent in 2008-9.
George Reynolds, the council’s executive member for environment, recreation and health, said: “The addition of food waste last year really has helped us cut down the amount we send to landfill. But the credit must go to residents who do such a fantastic job of sorting through their rubbish.
“This is a fantastic achievement which not only limits the damage to our environment, it also saves a huge amount in landfill taxes.”
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