Cambridgeshire recycling commended for tackling climate change

CAMBRIDGESHIRE, with one of the country s best recycling records, has added another feather to its environmental cap. As Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire, both already in the top 10 recycling areas in England compete with each other to do even bet

CAMBRIDGESHIRE, with one of the country's best recycling records, has added another feather to its environmental cap.

As Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire, both already in the top 10 recycling areas in England compete with each other to do even better, Cambridgeshire County Council's newly-opened �730million public-private finance initiative facility at Waterbeach has been highly commended at a national awards ceremony, being beaten only by a multi-billion pound project in Manchester.

The facility, which is operated by waste management specialists Donarbon, includes a state-of-the-art mechanical biological treatment plant which aims to recover everything recyclable from the county's household waste.

That, plus the county's nine recycling centres, including the latest addition at St Neots, was recognised at last week's Private Finance Awards for its contribution to helping meet the challenges of climate change.

County cabinet member Councillor Tony Orgee said: "To have even been shortlisted, let alone highly commended is a major achievement for Cambridgeshire in the face of stiff competition.

"But the services and facilities we are putting in place are only part of the story, and I would like to thank our residents who have made us one of the top recycling counties in the country."

Donarbon managing director Mark Davenport added: "We are just at the beginning of the PFI contract so I would say to Cambridgeshire residents 'watch this space' for further improvements to their recycling and composting services.