A 50% increase in the amount of waste being recycled could save taxpayers up to £1 million per year.

North Herts District Council has revealed the amount of waste being recycled in the district has almost doubled since new waste and recycling collections were introduced in the summer.

If this trend continues, it would mean 1,000 tonnes less going to landfill from North Herts every month. It currently costs council tax payers more than £100 for every tonne of waste sent to landfill, so the council’s new collection service could lead to savings of over £1 million every year on the cost of sending waste to landfill.

Royston district councillor Peter Burt, portfolio holder for waste, recycling and environment at the district council, said: “This early indication of rising recycling rates is fantastic news, and a big thank you must go to everyone in North Herts for embracing the new service.

“Hopefully people have noticed just how much more of their waste they can recycle under the new collection service, and are aware that they are helping to protect the environment and manage the growing cost of waste disposal.”