A RECYCLING roadshow hit Ely last week, just as the results of a hugely successful pilot project elsewhere in the district have been announced. Villagers in Witchford are now recycling a staggering 77 per cent of their rubbish. Five tonnes of rubbish are

A RECYCLING roadshow hit Ely last week, just as the results of a hugely successful pilot project elsewhere in the district have been announced.

Villagers in Witchford are now recycling a staggering 77 per cent of their rubbish. Five tonnes of rubbish are now going to landfill a week, compared to 11 tonnes in November last year, meaning the village is now one of the best in Britain for recycling its waste.

The village is part of a pilot scheme trailed by East Cambridgeshire District Council with alternate week collections - one week the normal rubbish bag is collectedm while the next week villagers put out a bag for garden and food waste as well as a black box for bottles, cans and paper.

To help others in the district understand the importance of reducing the waste sent to landfill sites, recycling experts visited Ely last week, and members of Littleport charity Branching Out helped to spread the message by distributing free energy day bags with information about recycling.

Gerald Tickner. waste strategy officer for East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "Reducing the amount of rubbish we all send to landfill is vital if we are to safeguard the future of our environment."

For more information about the Beyond Recycling road shows, please ring on 0845 045 5207 or visit www.recap.co.uk.

n Pictured is Barry McKenny, recycling officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council with Lee, Sue, Huw, Anne, Philip and Niki Brown of Branching Out.

Photo: HELEN DRAKE