Oxfordshire tops the national recycling table again
For the 11th year in a row, residents in Oxfordshire are the best in England for recycling, reusing and composting, according to the latest government figures.
Oxfordshire County Council has again been named the top performing county council waste disposal authority. In 2023 - 24, residents recycled, reused or composted 57.6 per cent of their household waste – up from 57.2 per cent in the previous year.
The total amount of household waste produced in Oxfordshire was 292,234 tonnes for 2023 - 24, with 168,232 tonnes being reused, recycled and composted.
Oxfordshire’s city and four district councils, which operate the kerbside collections for householders, also achieved excellent results in their national category.
Out of 197 waste collection authorities in England, South Oxfordshire District Council is at the top of the table (62.9 per cent), the Vale of White Horse is fourth (60.7 per cent), West Oxfordshire is 16th (57.2 per cent), Cherwell is 36th (53.2 per cent), and Oxford City Council is 55th (48.3 per cent). The provisional national average is 42.2 per cent.
Along with the county council, the city and district councils make up the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership (ORWP) – a collaborative organisation that works together to improve recycling and waste management services for residents.
Vicky Beechey, ORWP Manager, said: “Oxfordshire’s residents have long been recognised as consistently high performers when it comes to recycling, reusing and composting, and we owe them another huge thank you.
“These figures are also a testament to local authorities’ hard work and ongoing commitment to delivering positive environmental outcomes for Oxfordshire residents.
“ORWP partners know times are really challenging for residents. By taking proper action, we can all reduce food waste, keep items in use for longer and reduce the amount of waste we produce – for the benefit of everyone. Using tools such as the Waste Wizard can really help put the items we have in the right place – whether that’s for reuse, composting or to throw away.”
Oxfordshire residents can dispose of limited amounts of DIY waste for free at the county’s household waste recycling centres by using an online booking system.
The system means householders wanting to use their free DIY waste allocation will need to book online in advance .
For those looking to reduce their waste further, Oxfordshire’s Community Action Group network and Replenish project have lots of opportunities for people to get involved with local schemes and tips on how to reduce waste and improve their local environment.
Residents can also visit Climate Action Oxfordshire for ideas on the practical things they can do to reduce waste and make better climate choices with the time they have available.
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