WASTE vehicles operating owned by the district council’s waste provider Ubico are displaying two new slogans in order to promote the need for recycling.

Every year Cotswold District residents pay £1.25 MILLION to bury waste.

The 'Don’t WASTE your money' message is encouraging people to try and reduce this number.

Each year recycling and composting saves almost £1.7 million on landfill tax costs and the 'Thanks a £MILLION' message has been put on the waste vehicles to thank people for this.

Cabinet member for the environment at the district council, Sue Coakley, said: “We are very grateful to our residents because they recycle nearly 60 per cent of all waste in the district - the best performance in Gloucestershire. Nevertheless, like many local authorities, we have seen a slight downturn in recycling over the last couple of years, and we want to reverse this trend by encouraging greater awareness of the need to cut down on landfill.

“The exorbitant cost of burying waste is obviously a major concern, but we are also reminding the public that landfill is a finite resource and recycling, reusing and reducing waste is the best long-term solution for everyone. Even modest steps forward – like each household recycling more clothing items and a few more cans each week - can have a telling effect overall. ”

Cllr Coakley is also hopeful that more communities will enter the gRRReen community competition - which is being run by CDC, the Gloucestershire Joint Waste team, and Ubico Ltd – to develop ideas for combating waste in the future.

“It’s not too late to enter this competition. The deadline is February 20 and it is open to groups of people of all ages who can come up with ideas and initiatives to reduce recycle or reuse waste. We have a prize fund available which should enable winning entrants to develop their plans further and spread good practice.

To enter the competition email waste@cotswold.gov.uk, phone 01285 623123, or write to gRRReen awards competition, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Rd, Cirencester, GL71PX.

Applicants will receive an application form and information sheet.

Copies are also available at the Council’s Cirencester and Moreton offices.

For information on cutting down on waste visit www.recycleforgloucestershire.