People in Hertfordshire are recycling 10 per cent more than last year according to local authority figures.

This means a fifth less waste is going to landfill sites which saves money on landfill costs for North Herts District Council.

The increase puts North Herts fifth place in ‘movers’ in the national league table.

Councillor Peter Burt, NHDC’s portfolio holder for waste, recycling and environment, said: “It is really good news that our recycling rates have risen resulting in our high position in the league table. We want to thanks residents of North Herts for so enthusiastically adopting the changes to the waste and recycling service which was introduced earlier in 2013.”

The majority of the savings made will be handed back to NHDC through the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership’s model which rewards councils with high rates of recycling.

Opening times and days at Hertfordshire’s tips will change from Monday January 5.

The household recylcing centres will now close two days a week as a cost cutting exercise. Buntingford’s centre will remain open seven days a week and continue to operate at reduced hours.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for waste management, said: “Although we face serious financial pressures at the moment, by reducing the opening days and hours at our recycling centres we will be able to keep them all open.

“I appreciate that some residents didn’t want any changes to their local centres, but the fairest way of making savings is through changing the operational hours at all the sites.”

To find out more about the scheme visit www.hertsdirect.org/wasteaware.