SHROPSHIRE Council is in the top fifty councils in England for recycling rates.

It recycled 54.6 per cent of its waste in 2019/20 but that rate has not improved over the last five years and has plateaued.

But a Ludlow councillor says that it could and should do better and has become complacent rather than taking steps to increase the amount of waste that is recycled in the county.

“South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse districts, both rural areas, recycle 63 to 64 per cent of their waste,” said Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North.

“Why can’t we do the same? Or better still, do better.

“The way recycling operates in Shropshire can and must be improved. Shropshire Council should set a target of being in the top ten of councils for recycling by 2026. We should aim for a minimum of two-thirds of our waste being recycled within five years.

“The complacency over recycling at Shropshire Council means it has no ambitions to ramp up recycling and to reduce its reliance over incineration. There are five steps we can take to recycling heaven.”

Mr Boddington, is calling for a five point plan of action to get recycling levels increasing again.

“The complacency over recycling at Shropshire Council means it has no ambitions to ramp up recycling and to reduce its reliance over incineration.

He wants to see: good recycling neighbourhoods, with recycling champions and an award scheme, replacement of lidless tubs for glass, plastic and metals with wheelie bins, more effective bags to prevent card and paper getting wet, the return of recycling banks and recycling included in an environment portfolio on the cabinet of Shropshire Council.

Landfill of domestic waste in Shropshire has been reduced from 13 per cent of waste to two per cent since 2014/15. Recycling rates increased as did incineration but these have now plateaued.

“Our household collection system is not efficient. added Mr Boddington.

“We should cut out a stage and give households a wheelie bin for dry recyclables, metals and plastic as other councils do.”