A waste recycling rewards scheme in South Holland is being seen as a key factor in soaring tonnage rates.
The Green Bag Lottery, which has been running since February, is a district council initiative. It promotes good recycling and aims to raise awareness of its importance.
During its first six month, waste recycled in South Holland rose by 16 per cent from 585 tonnes to 678 tonnes.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for waste management, said: “I’m delighted to see The Green Bag Lottery having such a positive impact on recycling rates.
“However, this isn’t about us hitting targets. We want to show people that we are serious about recycling and are doing as much as possible to encourage it.
“I hope we have encouraged those who weren’t recycling before to participate.”
The Green Bag Lottery runs every four weeks and sees ten households randomly and secretly selected to take part.
Each one that presents recycling correctly for at least three of the four weeks is awarded £100 and they are then placed into a draw to win £1,000.
So far a total of 53 people from across the district have won prizes. There have been 26 winners in Spalding, four in Long Sutton, two winners each in Holbeach, Whaplode, Deeping St Nicholas, Holbeach St Marks, Gedney Drove End, Crowland and Pinchbeck.
There have also been wins in Weston, Lutton Marsh, Donington, Sutton Bridge, Fleet Hargate, Holbeach St Johns, Sutton St James, West Pinchbeck and Moulton.
For more information on the scheme visit www.greenbaglottery.co.uk
