NEW figures show Surrey was joint top of a recycling league table in 2016/17.

Defra data shows both Surrey and Oxfordshire recycled 57.7 per cent of household waste, the highest rate of the 32 two-tier authorities in England.

Surrey has also seen a reduction in the amount of waste generated. The drop from 451.6kg to 439kg per person means it has entered the top quartile of authorities for the measure, well ahead of a target to achieve this by 2020.

The target is part of the strategy of the Surrey Waste Partnership (the 11 district and borough councils that collect waste and recycling on behalf of Surrey County Council, which is responsible for disposing of it).

SWP chairman, Beryl Hunwicks, said: “We are delighted by this news which is a clear indication working in partnership is the most sensible, pragmatic and effective solution.

“Our 12 councils have been working together more and more closely over the past few years, finding ways to make it as easy as possible for residents to recycle more and help save money and the environment.”

Partnership initiatives include aligning policies and collection systems, introducing food waste recycling countywide and developing joint communications to make sure residents are fully aware of what they can and can’t recycle.

Food waste recycling was a particular success story up nine per cent in Surrey.

A campaign included attaching ‘no food waste stickers’ to thousands of rubbish bins to remind residents to use their recycling caddies.