TRAFFORD’s recyclig rates have risen since a controversial weekly food and garden waste collection service began operating borough-wide in October.

Between October and December, there was a 40 per cent increase in food and garden waste compared to the same time last year.

This is coupled with a 30 per cent reduction in general waste.

Council chiefs say that overall Trafford's recycling rate has risen by 14 per cent to 60 per cent, resulting in estimated savings of more £1 million per annum.

Executive councillor Alan Mitchell said: "The way local residents have supported us since the introduction of the new weekly food and waste collection service has been fantastic.

“While Trafford has always had high recycling rates, it was important we did everything possible to continue increasing these. The new service is proving an extremely effective way of achieving this and the savings made are now available to be reinvested in essential services.

“Not only is this good for the environment, but by working together we can reduce the amount of recyclable food and garden waste we send to landfill, every tonne of which costs local ratepayers."