THE shake-up to Bury’s bin collections will see recycling rates soar by 50 per cent.

In less than two months since the new system was introduced, the rate has rocketed to 43 per cent from 27.8 per cent — which was the second lowest in Greater Manchester.

Council chiefs expect the rate rise to reach 50 per cent by the end of this month, and praised householders for their co-operation.

Figures show that, during October, 40 per cent less waste went to landfill. The amount of paper and cardboard collected, for which the council receives an income, has increased by 85 per cent.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, executive member for environment and economy, declared: “This is a fantastic achievement and shows what we can do when we all work together.”

Under the new collection service, grey bins moved to being emptied once every fortnight. The green bag for paper and cardboard was replaced by a green bin and households with a brown bin can now put food waste in them as well as garden waste.

Cllr Isherwood added: “I must thank the people of Bury for getting behind our recycling drive and achieving these figures. They are doing a fantastic job and I’d like to encourage everyone to keep up their good work and keep recycling more for Bury — every household counts “We are doing our best to improve the new system, including finding ways of increasing food waste collections and the number of households that have a brown bin.”

One convert to the recycling cause is Pimhole resident Mr Jimmy Hill. He said: “I was dead against the earlier changes because I didn’t want all these bins mucking up my garden. I just wasn’t keen on the whole thing.

“But I’m getting used to it and I support the principle. It’s settled down now and obviously the rise in the recycling rate means it’s been worth it. The only complaints I hear is about people not getting their brown bins.”

Lesley Wildeman, treasurer of Topping Fold Tenants and Residents’ Association, was a member of the Bury East Township Forum when recycling rates within the area were discussed.

She said: “It had been explained to us that recycling rates in Bury were amongst the poorest in the country. I had taken this back to the residents association and I am delighted to see that each little effort has had a huge effect on the recycling rates in Bury.”