SIX months on and West Devon's 'green box' recycling scheme has been hailed a success as figures show a four per cent increase in the amount of recyclables collected.

Last November, every householder in West Devon was given a green plastic box to collect their recyclables.

The delivery of the boxes coincided with the start of a weekly kerbside collection service for the whole borough. Previously, household recyclables were collected every fortnight.

Today the scheme is going from strength to strength, according to West Devon Borough Council officials.

Prior to the boxes going out, 14 per cent of West Devon's waste was being recycled.

Today, with more than 21,000 green recycling boxes in circulation, about 18 per cent of waste is being recycled. Waste which is recycled rather than poured into costly landfill sites, saves the borough about £40 a tonne in landfill tax.

Additionally, the council receives income for the recyclables sold, which goes towards the cost of the recycling service to the council tax payer.

The aim of the weekly scheme is to try to collect as much material as possible that can be recycled in the most environmentally sustainable way. This includes paper, cans, newspapers, and card. For the first time glass can also be left in the box for kerbside collection.

And with the barbecue season here, council officers are hoping householders will remember what to do with their waste and top up their recycling boxes.

Helen Dobby, the borough's contracts manager, said: 'We had a terrific start to the green boxes because they arrived just before Christmas when everyone always has a lot of extra recyclable waste.

'Now, with summer just around the corner, people are preparing for barbecue parties, which often produce plenty of recyclables particularly bottles, jars and card. We hope people remember that their green box is there just for this purpose.

'Most importantly, we would encourage all residents to make sure all their recyclable waste finds it way into the green box all year round.'

Mayor of West Devon Cllr Richard Phillips has urged more people to take up the green box challenge and move towards the Government-set recycling target for West Devon of 36 per cent by 2006.

He said: 'Recycling saves the environment, saves global resources and saves money too. We shouldn't just be thinking about today, but for tomorrow, and the kind of world we want to see for our grandchildren.'

The green boxes are not the only recycling first for the authority in the last year. West Devon street sweepers have also played their part too.

Late last year they swept up 500 tonnes of leaves — almost two per cent of the total waste produced annually in West Devon. Instead of being destined for landfill, the leaves were recycled into compost.

Cllr Phillips added: 'This is a perfect example of the work we are doing. If we find there is a viable way of recycling anything, we'll investigate it.'

For further details about the scheme, contact West Devon Borough Council's client services department on 01822 813656.