PEOPLE in Oxfordshire throw away less rubbish than anywhere else in the country.

On average every person in the county gets rid of almost 329 kilos of refuse, compared to wasteful folk from North Yorkshire who chuck out around 515 kilos per person.

And Oxfordshire is now proving to be even more ‘green’ by recycling more than half our waste, according to the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership.

OWP co-ordinator Wayne Lewis said: “These are excellent achievements. Not only are we recycling so much in Oxfordshire, we’re performing well above the average.

“The public have really embraced the new recycling schemes over the past two years.”

From April to November last year, people recycled or composted 53.64 per cent of rubbish – well above the 40 per cent national average.

OWP spokesman Paul Mocroft added: “It might not sound like a lot to recycle your potato peelings, but if everyone does it, it makes a difference.”

Jericho resident Ros Weatherall, from campaign group OxClean, said: “Oxfordshire never used to be one of the best counties, but the city council has really pushed it in recent years.

“It is fantastic to see recycling public bins going up in the city centre too.

“Now people will hopefully think before they drop litter.”

West Oxfordshire was the final county district to implement a food waste recycling scheme when it launched in November.

David Harvey, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Recycling makes sense financially as well as environmentally. By taking more rubbish out of landfill and giving it another life we’re saving the council tax payer money – so important in these difficult times.”

Oxfordshire County Council announced plans earlier this year for a new tip at Langford Lane in Kidlington, under plans to save £750,000 a year.

No other county tips would take landfill waste from 2014 and the Redbridge recycling centre in Oxford would be shut to the public.

Former Green Party city councillor Craig Simmons warned last night recycling rates could start to decline as councils got complacent about recycling rates.

He added: “They are taking decisions which will impact on recycling rates in future years – such as the decision to incinerate Oxfordshire waste, which will encourage more waste, and the decision to close Redbridge and other tips.”

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk