A council can boast the title of third biggest recycler in the county, after residents took up new kerbside recycling services for food waste, cardboard and plastic bottles.

Epsom and Ewell Council was praised by Surrey County Council’s Executive Member for the Environment for recycling more than 12,200 tonnes of household waste (45 per cent) and for being the first Borough in Surrey to start food recycling.

Councillor Jean Smith, chairman of the council’s Environment Committee said: “Residents consistently tell us that they want to recycle more, and they have worked hard to ensure that the borough does just that. It is important that the council let people know that their efforts really do work.

“As well as supporting kerbside collections, residents have increased the recycling rate at the Blenheim Road Community Recycling Centre by 15 per cent in one year and it is now almost 70 per cent. Thanks to our residents, recycling in Epsom and Ewell is among the best in the country bringing both environmental and financial benefits.”

The council’s discussions with commercial vehicle manufacturers resulted in a new design of vehicle capable of safely and cleanly collecting food waste alongside other recyclables.

Operating to the latest emissions standards, the multi-functional vehicles have allowed the council to offer more recycling services without needing extra vehicles to drive down the road on collection day.

Epsom Hospital is one of the four hospitals in the county participating in the ‘On the Go Recycling’ scheme with funding from Coca-Cola Enterprises. The scheme sets up recycle zones in static places where there are lots of people.

With over 175,000 people on site for two days, the Investec Derby Festival, Epsom Downs Racecourse will also be introducing several initiatives to manage the large volume of waste generated, such as strategically located plastic recycling units and glass bottle banks.

For more information, go to epsom-ewell.gov.uk/recycling.