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Last year 28,300 tonnes of waste was recycled and composted compared to 22,988 tonnes just 12 months earlier. That meant a significant rise from just 16.1% - one of the worst rates in the country - to exceeding 20% for the first time.

Now Croydon Council says the encouraging improvement must be maintained if the borough is to meet its 30% Government-set target.

Credit for the better performance goes to a number of newly introduced initiatives, including the introduction of plastic and cardboard collections; kerbside collection of garden waste; and a major revamping of the reuse and recycling centres.

In addition the council has clamped down on traders using domestic Re-use and Recycling centres and has actively promoted greater involvement in established kerbside recycling arrangements.

Confidence that higher rates can be achieved in future result from an approved programme to further widen recycling provision. Already lined up are refurbished neighbourhood recycling centres, installation of recycling containers for some 450 blocks of flats, together with an expanding range of kerbside collections.

The very popular garden waste recycling restarted at Easter and at the end of last month another 24,000 households in four new wards joined the scheme, that was already serving 24,000 homes in five wards. Kerbside plastic and cardboard collections will be introduced in parts of the borough later in the year.

The new trial waste food service has already seen a rapid escalation with deposits rising impressively since the collection was introduced last month. Already 5.6 tonnes of waste food is being collected per week, leading to pressure for bigger or more vehicles being used.

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for Environment and Highways, said:

?In just 12 months we have transformed Croydon's recycling record from being one of the worst in the country to one that is making the best progress. The news that we are already sending so much less waste to landfill is very encouraging. The figures underline we have been right to listen to people and then provide the improved services they have requested. This shows if we give people what they want, they will use of the facilities we provide.

?Even though the improvements are welcome we still have a long way to go. We won't be satisfied until recycling becomes a habit in every household.?

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