BUDE is in the top ten for recycling rates and reducing waste in Cornwall, according to new figures released by the local authority.

Figures published recently by Cornwall Council have revealed the communities doing their bit for the environment by increasing recycling and reducing waste. Compared with last year, households have, on average, contributed a 0.71% increase in recycling across Cornwall, while cutting the amount of black bin waste put out for collection by around 1.2kg per household.

Bude has come in at number seven on the list of figures published by Cornwall Council, with a rate of 33.4% in kerbside recycling from 2017 to 2018, from 32.6% in 2016 to 2017, and has reduced its waste from 555.9kg in 2016 to 2017, to 512.0kg in 2017 to 2018.

Bude is followed by Altarnun at 16 on the list, Tintagel at 19, Grenville and Stratton at 37, Stoke Climsland at 40, St Minver and St Endellion at 42, Callington at 51, St Teath and St Breward at 52, and Poundstock at 54.

Camelford comes in at 62 on the list, with figures showing it recycles at a rate of 25.4%, compared to 25.1% in 2016 to 2017, and has reduced its waste to 604.4kg from 618/2kg in 2016 to 2017. Launceston North and North Petherwin comes in at 82 on the list, Launceston Central at 86 and Launceston South comes in at 100 on the list.

The area has gone from 20.9% for recycling in 2016 to 2017 to 20.1%, and has a waste rate of 583.3kg in 2017 to 2018 from 582.9kg in 2016 to 2017.

When it comes to protecting the environment and natural resources, reducing the amount of waste is even more effective than recycling, according to Sue James, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and public protection.

She said: “By reducing the amount of waste we create in the first place, we cut down on the use of raw materials and pollution association with production. We should all be aiming to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“These statistics show that communities across Cornwall are recycling, but there’s always more that can be done — there is the potential for households in Cornwall to recycle around 60% of their waste.

“As part of our kerbside collections we collect a range of items including paper, cardboard, tins and cans, tin foil, glass bottles and plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.”

Cornwall Council has some tips for households trying to reduce waste. These include avoiding excessive food packaging in the supermarket; buy only what you need; start home composting; carry a reusable bottle; say no to plastic straws; use refill stations for detergents; say no to disposable cutlery; get milk delivered; avoid microbeads; carry a shopping bag; pack a waste-free lunch reusing old takeaway boxes instead of cling film or foil; give experiences, not things, for Christmas and birthday presents.

Overall, for percentage of waste recycled, Bude comes in at number seven with 33.43%. For black bag waste reductions, Poundstock comes in at four with 37kg, Bude at six with 33.6kg and Grenville and Stratton at ten with 26kg.