A study finds Longford recycles more waste from bin collections than any other county in Ireland.
A nationwide study on recycling habits carried out by the Local Government Management Services sees Longford top the table. The county recycles half of its waste from bin collections. It is followed by Waterford which recycles 40%. Languishing at the bottom of the table is Wicklow, with a 2% recycling rate.
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche says the purpose of the study is to compare councils,
So the councillors and the public will be able to know how well they're performing.
Longford County Council Environmental Awareness Officer Gary Brady thinks the study is a great news story for Longford,
It’s very positive that the people of county Longford are recycling so much and hopefully it will continue long into the future.
However, Wicklow County Council Environmental Awareness Officer Moira Byrne disputes the findings of the study as it they are based on 2004 figures.
Unperturbed by the survey, Bray resident Casey O Brien continues to do her bit for the environment. Her family makes several visits a week to the civic amenity centre to recycle cardboard, paper and bottle-tops.
Overall the news is positive and Ireland looks set to meet its targets for recycling household and commercial waste seven years ahead of schedule.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 August 2006. The reporter is Martina Fitzgerald.
