Spectacular result of recycling blitz

The amount of recycling completed by council staff has reached 128 per cent during the last year.

Waste reduction and recycling have become part of daily life for council staff and their attempts to improve the environment has led to the council being declared an example of good practice.

The amount of waste being produced has been reduced by 39 per cent during the past year, 14 per cent higher than the 25 per cent target set for the borough.

In a bid to reach the target set by the Government, the council began working with Global Action Plan, a charity that tackles environmental problems in practical and innovative ways.

A system of colour coded bins was introduced in all council buildings with green for paper, pink for cans, blue for plastic bottles and, finally, black for leftover waste.

Councillor John David, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "I'm very happy that Pendle Council is now recognised as an example of good practice in the North West, encouraging local public and private organisations to minimise their waste production.

"This is an excellent start from staff and this is a long-term initiative that is being integrated into how the council operates, involving a process of changing attitudes and behaviour for the better."

This project has been spearheaded by the council's Green Champions, a group of staff who are implementing recycling and waste minimisation ideas.

Co-ordinator Jane Wright, who co-ordinates the Green Champions, said: "The measures that have been implemented throughout the council are small in themselves but together they make a huge difference.

"We've not only introduced recycling bins but have been successful in encouraging staff to archive emails instead of printing them, to print and photocopy on both sides of the paper and to use mugs in the place of plastic cups."

The Green Champions are set to continue their work for the foreseeable future. in order to check that all staff are doing their bit.