RESIDENTS are recycling more than ever, according to fresh figures.

Half year figures, published by Colchester Council show a recycling rate of 49.32 per cent for the first six months of 2014/15.

It means the full-year target of 48 per cent looks set to be surpassed.

Last year, Colchester residents recycled 45.5 per cent of waste, which was up 1.8 per cent on the previous year.

Although the borough remained second bottom of the countywide recycling league table, the authority was one of only four to report an increase.

The rise has been partly put down to many people recycling food waste, which previously would have been sent to landfill.

According to the figures, the amount of garden waste, paper and plastics being recycled have increased while can recycling is roughly the same and glass recycling has slightly decreased.

In the first six months of 2014/15, 1,700 tonnes of food waste was collected.

Nick Barlow, Colchester councillor responsible for waste, said: “I am encouraged that so many residents are making good use of the [food waste] service, and that six months after starting the food waste collection we reported a recycling rate of 49 per cent.

“With residents able to quickly and easily recycle all food waste in their collection, I hope everyone continues to make the most of it.”