Record levels of recycling welcomed by Labour candidate

Labour candidate for Castle Point, Julian Ware-Lane, expressed himself pleased with the recently released recycling figures for the East of England. 

"The recently announced figures show that this Government takes its recycling obligations seriously." 

"I am especially concerned about the environment, and anything that can be done to reduce landfill and help households do their bit in the fight against climate change gets my support." 

The Landfill Tax Escalator gives local authorities the right incentives to improve recycling for households and reduce landfill.  

"Everyone in Castle Point now receives pink sacks which will make recycling far easier." 

"Although I am delighted with what has been achieved I want more. I want the targets exceeded and hope that tougher targets are introduced post 2010. Climate change has the potential to seriously undermine lifestyles in Castle Point" added Julian.

The Region outperforms the rest of the country and household recycling rates stand at 41.2% (as opposed to 34.5% for England as a whole). This is nearly a three per cent improvement on last year. Only the East Midlands performs better.  

This Region sent 58% of municipal waste landfill in 2007/08. Although this is down from 62% for last year, it compares unfavourably with the 54% for all of England. 

Our work with local government to improve recycling services for households is making it easier for people to recycle at their convenience.  

"Labour’s action on recycling is working" said Julian, "we are making it easier for people to recycle at their convenience." 

The average person in England is now recycling 171kg of waste each year, compared to just 35kg in 1997. This means that household recycling has more than tripled since 1997, from 8% to 34.5%. 

Landfill waste has fallen by more than a million tonnes in the last year, from 16.9m tonnes in 2006/7 to 15.5m tonnes in 2007/8.