The Council has announced that rubbish generated in Wandsworth dropped by more than 3,000 tonnes between April and November last year, saving taxpayers almost £238,000.

In May 2009 alone the drop in waste meant a saving of £78,000.  The figures represent a reduction of four per cent on the amount of municipal waste collected during the same period in 2008.

The council saves money because dumping rubbish in landfill is expensive. Recycling is cheaper, although not having to collect the waste in the first place is even better.  Every tonne of waste avoided saves Wandsworth council tax payers £90.  And every additional tonne of waste diverted from dustbins for recycling in orange sacks or banks saves £23. 

If every household in Wandsworth produced one kilogramme less of waste per week, this would save over £600,000 in waste disposal costs every year.  And if every household recycled one extra orange sack full of their waste each week this would save nearly £500,000 every year.

Executive member for environment and leisure, Cllr Sarah McDermott, said the figures were excellent news:
“Cutting down on the amount of rubbish we produce is not only good for the environment, but also saves the council money, as these figures show. These savings help us keep council tax low.”

 

 

 

 

January 13, 2010