Waveney District Council is officially the number one recycling authority in Norfolk and Suffolk and has burst in to the nationwide top ten following the publication of the latest annual figures by DEFRA.

Waveney District Council is officially the number one recycling authority in Norfolk and Suffolk and has burst in to the nationwide top ten following the publication of the latest annual figures by DEFRA.

Having seen its household recycling performance improve for the sixth consecutive year, Waveney is now ranked 8th nationwide, out of 398 English local authorities, having increased its recycling rate from 51.62pc in 2007-08 to a fantastic 55.91pc of all household waste in 08-09.

Ken Sale, Waveney's Portfolio Holder for the Environment is delighted with the news: 'This is yet another outstanding result and the district's recycling efforts are going from strength to strength. Residents should be very proud of their efforts in helping the environment.

'This is a real team effort too, thanks to the dedication of our waste management and recycling teams, the success of our operational partnership with Waveney Norse and the vigilance of our refuse crews who make sure that unwanted items do not contaminate waste sent for reprocessing.'

And with the green agenda now fundamental to service delivery in Suffolk, Mr Sale believes Waveney is laying down a real marker.

He said: 'Suffolk is determined to become the country's greenest county and it is fantastic to see Waveney residents leading the way. To hit 55pc is wonderful, but if we are to hold on to our number one position in Norfolk and Suffolk we need to continue the good work. Waveney has proved how innovative it can be with initiatives such as our food waste scheme, but we must never rest on our laurels and now we want to hit 60pc and beyond.

'Can we be number one in the country? Why not! Each and every Waveney resident can play their part and there's no reason why we cannot all go that extra mile.'

Percentage of household waste recycled by local authorities in Suffolk and Norfolk (national position in brackets)

Waveney District Council (8 of 398)55.91

St Edmundsbury BC (23) 51.30

Broadland District Council (34)49.48

Suffolk Coastal District Council (39)48.49

Suffolk County Council (41)48.40

Forest Heath District Council (63)46.53

North Norfolk District Council (71)45.88

Norfolk County Council (101)43.10

Breckland Council (120)41.79

Ipswich Borough Council (132)41.14

Mid Suffolk District Council (155)39.78

Babergh District Council (156)39.77

South Norfolk Council (166)38.87

Kings Lynn & West Norfolk BC (197)36.69

Norwich City Council (238)34.19

Great Yarmouth BC (320)28.21