Oxford recycling doubles in 6 months under Lib Dems!

8.57.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Jun 2007

Cllr Stephen Tall and Lib Dem colleagues recyling for Oxford!

When the Lib Dems took over running Oxford city council, in May 2006, we pledged to expand recycling opportunities for residents, aiming to double the amount of household waste recycled within two years. We apologise now for underestimating the residents of Oxford. Just six months into the city's recycling revolution, and we've already reached our target.

Yes, there's been a lot of criticism along the way. Yes, the scheme still has its teething problems - unsurprisingly, really, given the way 140,000 residents get rid of their rubbish has been changed in such a short space of time. But now I hope residents can start to see the effects of their collective action. After all, the city council could not have done this without the massive backing of the great majority of the public.

Here's what the leader column of the Oxford Mail had to say on the subject:

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RECYCLING: CITY HEADS FOR TOP

(Oxford Mail, 12th June, 2006 - http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/comment/display.var.1466418.0.recycling_city_heads_for_top.php)

The recycling revolution in Oxford has attracted plenty of criticism, but the figures prove what an outstanding success it has been.

In six months, residents have more than doubled the amount they have recycled to 39 per cent.

The city aimed to reach that figure in two years.

There was no doubt that something radical needed to be done.

Last year, Oxford was languishing near the bottom of the national recycling table, with a paltry 19 per cent.

With the threat of huge fines if it continued to send tonnes of waste to landfill, it embarked on a scheme which brought plenty of hostility.

That wasn't surprising, since Oxford has such a mix of properties and people.

But the figures show how enthusiastic most people in the city have become towards recycling and how much can be achieved once the council provides the tools.

At this rate, it won't be long before Oxford takes its place among the top recycling areas in the country.

We are sure we haven't heard the last of the critics.

Given the complexity of the city, problems are bound to continue to crop up at times.

But we can say with confidence that the revolution in Oxford is well and truly under way.

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A big thank you to all residents for helping make the recycling revolution work. And a big thank you, too, to those who have brought problems to our attention: that's the only way we can ensure the city council's service to residents improve!