Recycling: city heads for top
9:06pm Tuesday 12th June 2007
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.