Recycle for Hampshire is on track to meet its target of recycling and composting 50% of total household waste by 2010.

In 2007, Winchester was reported by the WWF as ‘the least green’. Winchester City Council has teamed up with campaign group Recycle for Hampshire as Executive Member for Environment, Mel Kendal said `it was essential to recycle more waste`.

Hampshire residents produce approximately 900,000 tonnes of household rubbish each year. The Councils of Hampshire have been awarded £5 million from the government to improve recycling facilities throughout the county.

Winchester is the only location which recycles all waste materials in Hants.

The city is in partnership with Project Integra – Hampshire’s integrated waste management scheme for the next 25 years.

Executive officer of Project Integra Steve Read said, “We want to help expand the recycling habit from the house and workplace”.

Over 1600 recycling banks have been provided for the residents of Hants, and the Winchester City Council has placed recycling bins in student halls at the University of Winchester as they make up almost 10% of the population.

First year Winchester Student, Harriet Pollard claimed that “The university is not doing enough to recycle in West Downs Student Village. Bins are only placed by the car park at the very front of West Downs”.

Despite government’s best efforts, Hampshire is only ranked 9th place in composting, with an appalling 7.81% composting rate.

Director of Environment, Alison Quant wants to “Ensure recycling services are available a major public sector sites”.

Winchester City Council are pleased to see that over 95% of homes now have a kerbside collection of recyclables.

There are 26 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) situated in Hampshire, one of which is in Bar End, Winchester. This is the only HWRC which recycles harmful toxic waste alongside domestic recyclables.

The recycling rates are steadily increasing in Winchester – 30% of our household waste is recycled – making Hampshire 3rd best in the country.

Winchester City Council aspires to recycle up to 500,000 tons of material through creating awareness with slogans such as “It’s not rubbish – recycle it!”.
Spokesman for Recycle for Hampshire Roger Black said, “People who already recycle will be encouraged and reassured that their efforts are worthwhile, and those who do not currently recycle will be able to see it as easy and not just something other people do”.

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