Recent research conducted in the Wilmslow area looked at how much residual waste, following collection rounds, arrived at depots. The results revealed that rounds in the Lacey Green area returned with more residual waste (to be sent to landfill) than any other area in Wilmslow.
As a result of these findings a campaign to reduce residual waste in the Lacey Green area has been set up by Cheshire East Council and Groundwork Cheshire, which has involved officers from the authority, along with representatives from Groundwork Cheshire, liaising with the Lacey Green Residents' Association to establish how best to boost recycling figures.
A meeting of the Lacey Green Residents' Association will take place at 7pm this evening, in The Pavilion at Lacey Green, where the campaign will be discussed.
Officers from Cheshire East Council and Groundwork Cheshire are apparently also working closely with Lacey Green Primary School to teach pupils more about the importance of recycling.
Cheshire East Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: "It is clear that, as an authority, we need to do more to boost recycling in the Lacey Green area and enhance the local environment. We have a responsibility to our residents to provide them with every opportunity to reduce residual waste – something which costs Council taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to send to landfill."
The campaign will run from November to March, 2011. Over the coming weeks, officers will visit homes in the Lacey Green area to carry out surveys and discuss any concerns residents may have with recycling. Residents will also be given the chance to order additional recycling containers.
Councillor Rod Menlove continued: "Something as simple as establishing if residents need more recycling bins or needing to re-issue recycling calendars could be the answer to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
"I would like to thank Groundwork Cheshire and the Lacey Green Residents' Association for their hard-work and enthusiasm in this campaign so far. There is a long way to go but I am confident that, over the next six months, improvements can be made to proportion of waste being recycled."
James Kerr from Groundwork Cheshire, added: "Groundwork Cheshire is very pleased to be working in partnership with Cheshire East Council and the Lacey Green Residents' Association to increase the uptake of recycling in the area.
"Through this campaign we want to get to the crux of why there is more residual waste in the area than other areas in Cheshire East. Once we've talked to residents and got to the bottom of any issues, we'll set about trying to provide a solution and make recycling easier for everyone. Our ambition is to make Lacey Green a beacon area of recycling in Cheshire.
"In addition to this we have been able to offer employment and training to someone through the Future Jobs Fund who will be working on the project for the next six months. You'll see our team out and about over the next six months and any comments you have will be carefully considered."
