RECYCLING has hit record figures in North Herts. It has increased more than fourfold in the last eight years according to figures released by North Herts District Council. The rate has now reached 40 per cent, from less than 10 per cent in 2000. NHDC was

RECYCLING has hit record figures in North Herts.

It has increased more than fourfold in the last eight years according to figures released by North Herts District Council.

The rate has now reached 40 per cent, from less than 10 per cent in 2000.

NHDC waste and environment portfolio holder Lynda Needham said: "This is a credit to North Herts residents who have taken willingly to the improved range of recycling services we have introduced. It clearly demonstrates the huge concern we all have for our environment.

"We are about to start food recycling as the next step in improving our recycling rate and our sights are now firmly set on the target of 50 per cent by 2012."

Twice-monthly food recycling is due to begin on June 2 in North Herts. Kitchen scraps put in brown garden recycling bins will be composted at the Cumberlow Green waste recycling site near Baldock.

Mid Beds District Council said it is hoping to match NHDC's recycling rate when it publishes its figures in about a month's time. A spokesman said: "Last year we had 33 per cent and we are expecting it to go up as we have been running our food waste trials."

A spokesman for Stevenage Borough Council said: "In 2006-2007 we had a recycling rate of 26.87 per cent. Our latest figures will be available next month."

Department for the Environment figures show the upward trend for recycling nationally, at 33 per cent, with a fall in the amount of waste going into landfill.