MORE than 194,000 plastic milk bottles have just left West Devon on their way to Liverpool to be recycled into new products. It is the first load to be collected since the plastic banks were brought in by West Devon Borough Council last year. The banks were introduced by public demand and residents in the borough have embraced the new scheme and have so far deposited 9.7 tonnes of clean milk bottles. The council initially put out five banks, but due to the popularity of the scheme there are now 20 scattered across the borough. Cllr Paul Ridgers, chairman of the council?s environment and health committee, said the response had been fantastic. ?Our residents asked for the banks, we delivered, and so have they. ?It?s not surprising that the people of West Devon are the top recyclers in Devon and amongst the best in the country.? Jane Savage, the council?s recycling officer, said that the banks were paid for by grants from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and currently add no additional financial burden to the council. ?The milk bottles will be reprocessed in the UK, and have previously been turned into items like compost bins and recycling boxes. ?West Devon?s green recycling boxes are made from 100% post-consumer plastic. We have been busy putting out new banks in the past few days.? To find out where your nearest bank is telephone 01822 813656 or visit the website http://www.west">www.west devon.gov.uk LEFT: West Devon?s recycling projects officer Andrew Barron oversees the final loading.
