RECYCLING rates in Devon are at an all time high.

In 2018/19, 56% of household waste was sent for reuse, recycling and composting. The numbers are up 2% on the previous year and 0.3% higher than the previous record of 55.7% in 2016/17.

East Devon was the highest performing Devon authority, recycling 59.1%, which was due to the roll out of its kerbside recycling service.

West Devon’s recycling rates rose slightly by 0.1%.

West Devon Borough Council is set to move to a three-weekly residual waste model and in December will see recycled plastic pots, tubs, trays, cardboard drink cartons and foil added to the items able to be collected weekly from the kerbside.

A report on Devon and Torbay’s waste statistics went to last week’s Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee.

Meg Booth, chief officer for highways, infrastructure development and waste, said in her report: ‘In 2018/19, Devon achieved its highest ever recycling rate at 56 per cent.

‘Devon’s success can be attributed to the effective partnership working through the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee and support from Devon’s residents.

‘With a continuing focus to make more effective use of resources through the circular economy package, and proposed national policy changes, it is likely that local authorities will continue to be at the forefront of communication with residents to encourage greater participation and satisfaction with services, whilst embracing the “3Rs” message of reduce, reuse and recycle and over the next two years, Exeter, South Hams and West Devon propose significant service enhancements.’

The statistics come as West Devon Borough Council is urging residents to ‘end the horror’ and recycle their pumpkins this Halloween.

The borough council is urging people not to throw their pumpkin away in the general rubbish and recycle it as food waste instead.

It points out that UK households produce around seven-million tonnes of food waste every year, costing the average family about £60 per month.

A council spokesperson said: ‘In West Devon almost a quarter of all waste put into black rubbish sacks is food — despite West Devon Borough Council providing weekly kerbside collections for this — but as Halloween approaches you could make a huge difference with one simple change — when you’re finished with your pumpkin, make sure you cut it into smaller chunks and then home compost it or put it in your food caddy.

‘Any kind of food waste can be placed in your food caddy, whether cooked or uncooked.

‘You can line your caddy with any bag, such as cereal bags, bread bags, salad bags and so on. Alternatively you can line your caddy with newspaper or leave the food loose. The food waste is used to create electricity for the National Grid and the by-product is used as a soil conditioner for use on local farms.’

Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for environment, added: ‘It’s truly scary to see so many pumpkins being wasted at Halloween, when they could easily be composted.

‘If you don’t have a compost bin or food caddy please visit our website or offices for more information on how to obtain them.’