SWINDON is getting better at recycling but is still not good enough.

New figures issued by the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs have brought together recycling rates for the whole country. They are for 2002-3.

Swindon recycled 14 per cent of its rubbish that year. Although it was four per cent more than the previous year, it was still less than the 15 per cent logged four years ago.

Three years ago, the Government laid down individual targets for every council in the country.

Although the figures are not yet fully collated, last year (2003-4) Swindon should have reached 17 per cent, and it is thought it will be near that figure.

But for this financial year up to the end of March next year the target rises to 25 per cent, and for March 31, 2006 it is a tough 36 per cent.

Swindon is starting to lag behind the rest of the country for green waste disposal.

Countrywide, the household waste recycling and composting rate hit 14.5 per cent in 2003, up from 12.5 per cent the previous year.

But Swindon Council, which operates the recycling sites, thinks things will be on the up. Justin Tomlinson, lead member for Swindon Services at the council, said: "The figures issued by the Govern-ment are out of date.

"With the introduction of our new household recycling centre, trials of kerbside collections such as the one in Highworth and the ever increasing range of bottle and paper banks that we provide close to local communities, our current level of recycling is around 16 per cent and growing.

"The people of Highworth have responded magnificently to their new recycling scheme more than 85 per cent of households now take part.

"But we've still got a long way to go to reach our target of 36 per cent of domestic waste being recycled by March 2006 so therefore we will be seeking further Government grants to meet their target."

Environment minister Elliot Morley urged residents to do better.

He said: "It can be as easy to put aside waste for recycling as it is to throw it away. Every old newspaper or empty tin can make a difference."

The minister warned expert hit-squads could be sent to under-performing councils to boost their recycling rates.

Swindon's overall recycling rate of 14 per cent beat that recorded by many other councils Manchester City recycled just two per cent of home waste, the figures showed.

Tom Morton