RESIDENTS in the Culm Valley and the Blackdown Hills have helped achieve the highest-ever waste and recycling performance by Mid Devon District Council.

Their continued efforts to reduce waste and recycle more saw the council record a recycling rate of 57.9 per cent in 2023-24, placing it 11th out of 197 local authorities.

Mid Devon also achieved a non-recyclable waste figure of 307.8kg per household, ranking ninth and placing the district within the top five per cent of local authorities nationwide.

The latest figures build on the previous year’s success, where the authority achieved its previous all-time high of a 55.4 per cent recycling rate and saw a significant reduction in non-recyclable waste.

Since the introduction of a three-weekly waste collection service acoss the district in October, 2022, recycling rates have improved by more than seven per cent, which the council said demonstrated the success of the scheme.

Council head of people, performance, and waste Matthew Page said: “We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made, and we could not have done it without the commitment of our residents.

“Your efforts to sort waste correctly, reduce what you throw away, and support our initiatives have made a real difference.”

Mid Devon’s efforts have also been recognised nationally, with the council shortlisted for the prestigious National LGC Environmental Services Award.