Residents Overwhelmingly Back 50% Recycling Target

10.01.14pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

A survey conducted by the Liberal Democrats has found that almost 90% of residents support the Liberal Democrat target to recycle 50% of our waste by 2011. The results of the questionnaire, carried out in Norden and Bamford, also show that over 60% of respondents would like the opportunity to have a wheelie bin to recycle paper and cardboard as opposed to the blue plastic bags that are currently used.

Commenting, Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Heywood and Middleton Parliamentary Candidate said:

"I was delighted that residents are overwhelmingly backing the Council's commitment to improving recycling from 35% to 50% by 2011. Council Officers are now bringing forward some options to get to 50%.

"Many of these options are about tailoring our recycling collections to the needs of particular communities. For example, food waste collections are a high priority is some areas of Rochdale, but the priority for Norden and Bamford is improving the paper and cardboard collection."

Bamford ward Councillor, William Hobhouse added:

"This survey demonstrates that residents want the option of a wheelie bin for paper and cardboard. It's an option that I would expect about half of residents in Norden and Bamford to take up.

"Many people struggle to recycle paper and cardboard either because of the weight or because the bags are being lost. Providing optional bins is a simple 'invest to save' proposal for the Council, and I urge Officers to introduce a trial in Norden and Bamford."

The Results in Full:

Q.1 Do you back the Lib Dem target of 50% recycling of our waste by 2011?

Yes 106 No 5 Unsure 8

Q2. Would you prefer to have a wheelie bin (instead of the blue bags) for paper and cardboard recycling?

Yes 73 No 43 Unsure 3

(Note - there are some strong opinions on this question both ways, demonstrating that it would need to be offered as an optional bin)

Q3. Would you like to know more about a separate food recycling collection?

Yes 38 No 64 Unsure 17

Q4. Do you still have problems with the current system?

Yes 39 No 58 Unsure 22

Total 119 responses.