South Hams residents continue to be the best recyclers in Devon and are on course to top the league table for throwing the least amount of rubbish per household into landfill.

Throughout the past twelve months, South Hams District Council has taken to the road to bring the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message to thousands of people across the district.

More than 2,500 people have met members of the council’s recycling team at local shows and markets and learnt more about the benefits of recycling and using less packaging.

The team have also been working with Devon County Council and Resource Futures – teachers specialising in waste minimisation and reduction – to take the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message into schools. This has involved nearly 5,800 young people taking part in interactive lessons and workshops to teach them the benefits of cutting down the amount of waste sent to landfill. The young people were also shown how they could translate what they have learnt into making a difference at school and at home.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, Executive lead for Waste and Recycling said: “It is brilliant news that the South Hams continues to be the best in Devon.

“Enthusiasm in the South Hams for recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill has always been outstanding and it has been great to speak to so many positive people at our road shows.

“By changing the way we do our shopping to cut down on packaging, and being more conscious of disposing of food waste either in the brown bin or on our home compost heaps, we can all help the South Hams continue to lead the way in saving waste from landfill.”

Previous road shows have highlighted the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign to reduce the amount of food waste produced by giving recipe ideas for leftovers, and by advising on planning food quantities needed before shopping. Promoting and giving advice on ‘home composting’ to turn garden waste into a resource to help garden plants grow has also been a popular road show topic.

The Reduce, Reuse and Recycle road shows, featuring the Love Food Hate Waste campaign will be calling into Ivybridge market on 8th July and Totnes market on July 9th, both between 9am and 3pm.

For more information on waste and recycling, please contact the recycling helpline on 01803 861199 or visit www.southhams.gov.uk/ksp_rubbish_and_recycling.htm.