THE recycling centre at Okehampton is celebrating after winning the top prize in an inter-recycling site competition. Okehampton Recycling Centre won the best kept recycling centre in a Devon County Council competition. The judges praised Shane Simons and his team for the high standard of housekeeping maintained since the site opened in August 2003. Hatherleigh and Chagford County Cllr James McInnes said: ?Congratulations to Shane Simons and his team. Everyone in Okehampton and the surrounding area should be proud of their success since the recycling centre opened.? For the second year running, the Punchbowl Recycling Centre near Crediton won the best recycling rate in Devon for a small site. The small team of staff recovered and recycled 78% of the materials deposited at the site. Also for the second year running, the Sutton Barton Recycling Centre at Honiton won the best recycling rate for a medium site. And Brunel Road Recycling Centre in Newton Abbot won the best recycling rate for a large site. Commenting on the winning sites, Cllr Margaret Rogers, Devon County?s executive member for environment, said: ?I am very impressed by the excellent work of the staff in reclaiming and recycling such large volumes of material. ?Their work to keep the sites as tidy as possible must encourage more people to use the recycling centres and their sales areas are very appealing to customers. ?Members of the public who visit the centres also deserve credit for their efforts in separating their waste and making full use of the wide range of recycling facilities available. They are all helping the environment and setting an example to Devon?s community.? Devon County Council operates a network of 27 recycling centres and rural skip sites. In 2005/6 these sites achieved an average recycling rate of 67.5% of materials handled, which contributed a significant amount towards the overall 40% recycling rate for the County. RIGHT: Cllr Margaret Rogers presents the best kept recycling centre award to Shane Simons at Okehampton. Picture by Apex
