Published at 10:42, Saturday, 26 September 2009

THE public have been given a pat on the back after a council recycling service was recognised at a prestigious national ceremony.

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Cumbria’s waste partnership, Resource Cumbria, was short-listed for the Best Partnership prize at the Valpak Awards 2009 for its Recycle for Barrow campaign.

Now in their eighth year, the national awards are renowned for showcasing excellence and innovation in recycling and resource management.

The ceremony took place at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London on Thursday night with scientist, television and radio presenter Professor Heinz Wolff the guest speaker.

The Barrow campaign – which just lost out to West Dunbartonshire Council – boasted a new collection service which began in March, including the introduction of smaller wheelie bins and kerbside collections of recyclable materials.

As a result, Barrow is now recycling 40 per cent of its waste compared to 23 per cent for the same period last year.

Another key factor in the campaign’s launch was the partnership’s successful bid for £78,000 of funding from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, (WRAP). Cumbria County Council also contributed a further £15,000. Councillor Ken Williams, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council – who attended the ceremony with council officer Ian Laird – was not disappointed by the result.

He told The Evening Mail: “It is still a fantastic achievement for Barrow and the Resource Cumbria partnership to be nominated and I was proud to represent the town.

“Barrow’s recycling rate of 23 per cent was the poorest in the county and now its over 40 per cent.

“The officers did well to get the grant but there is no doubt this could not have been achieved without the help of the public.

“We now need the public to keep up the good work because there are financial rewards from the government if you meet targets.”

Chairman of Resource Cumbria, county councillor Ray Bloxham – who also attended the London ceremony – was delighted just to be shortlisted.

He added: “It’s a fitting tribute to the many people who have worked so hard in rolling out the new service and to the people of Barrow who have embraced it.”

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