Cumbria County Council is on track to meet its waste recycling and composting targets.

Latest performance figures revealed at a meeting of the council’s controlling cabinet show the authority is on track to recycle or compost at least 60 per cent of all waste taken to its 14 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs).

HWRCs accept a wide range of household items, from garden waste and scrap metal to timber, plastic and electrical appliances.

The latest performance statistics show the average amount of household waste per person is forecast to fall to 488kg this year, compared with 497.8kg per person last year.

There's also more non-recyclable waste being diverted away from landfill sites by treating it the council's two biological waste plants and up to 3,000 tonnes of street sweeping waste is forecast to be recycled or composted in this year.

The council runs a series of initiatives aimed at reducing waste, including offering home composting bins, food waste digesters and Freegle events.

The council is also reaping the benefits of investment in mechanical biological treatment technology which has slashed the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.

Two mechanical biological waste plants, one in Carlisle and one in Barrow, launched as part of a council partnership with Shanks Waste Solutions now take much of this non-recyclable waste. The process produces a solid recovered fuel (SRF) which can be used for energy production in a variety of facilities and industrial processes.

Councillor Celia Tibble, the county council's cabinet member for environment, said: “Cumbria has a fantastic recycling rate and the waste plants in Barrow and Carlisle have been a key factor in the huge reduction in waste going to landfill and increase in recycling.

"This is not only good for the environment but also saves on landfill costs for the council.

"The latest waste recycling and composting figures are very encouraging and show the council’s waste prevention efforts are also paying off, with households in Cumbria on average set to produce less waste than in previous years.”