Folkestone’s Mayor has heralded small changes as the main reason why the town’s recycling rate is at its highest level in a decade.

Mayor Anne Berry’s comments follow a Folkestone & Hythe district council statement which highlighted that the district produced 22Kg less general waste in 2017/18 than the previous year.

The statement also reported that 45.3% of all waste was recycled or composted, a 2.8% increase on the previous year.

Mayor Berry said she was delighted by the report’s findings.

“I’m very proud!  As a seaside town, the effects of pollution from rubbish and waste is very easy to see.

“Small changes from each individual add up to big improvements when talking about waste management.  We all want a clean coastline to enjoy in the summer!”

She added that the best way to keep improving recycling rates is to educate people.

“The best strategy is education and keeping people informed about what can and cannot be recycled. It’s good to note that Folkestone & Hythe District Council have a comprehensive list of items that can be recycled, which also includes clinical waste and batteries.”

Councillor Stuart Peall, the Folkestone & Hythe district council Cabinet Member for the Environment, was full of praise for the residents of the district.

“We’d like to thank our residents for their commitment to the district and to the environment by disposing of their rubbish responsibly.

“These are impressive statistics that reflect the hard work that we have been doing to promote recycling.”

As a county, the statement stated that the proportion of waste sent to landfill in Kent fell to just 1.1% and has been falling since 2012/13.