Guernsey household recycling reaches 50% target

The introduction of kerbside recycling is believed to be behind the rate breaking the 50% barrier

Half of Guernsey's household waste is being recycled.

Figures for the 12 months ending March 2015 show 50.2% of domestic waste was recycled rather than dumped in landfill.

Achieving a 50% rate has been a States target since 2010. Other targets of 60% by 2018 and 70% by 2025 have also been agreed.

Details of plans to stop putting waste into landfill and exporting it instead have yet to be put forward.

The figures include the 12 months that kerbside recycling has been running in the island, which Public Services believes is behind the rise.

Its introduction has seen a 60-70% fall in the amount of material collected from "bring banks" - where household items can be dropped off for recycling.

The Public Services Department said it could keep on using Mont Cuet until 2021 with its current plans for the site

Public Services Minister Scott Ogier said: "We have been working towards this for some years so clearly it is satisfying for the island to have finally achieved the 50% target.

"This is a fantastic achievement that islanders can be proud of, and we all have a part to play in looking to make further increases."

He said: "We are hopeful that we may soon be able to add glass to the kerbside scheme, and we are still looking potentially at separate food waste collections."

Deputy Ogier said the push to 60% would be driven by a "step change" when charges are introduced for waste and recycling bags.