Waste recycling scheme approved

Plans to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites in Cumbria by 80% have been approved by councillors.

The county council is to introduce a type of recycling technology called mechanical biological treatment (MBT).

The technique speeds up waste decomposition and makes it easier to pick out recyclable items.

A 25-year deal worth over £700m has been approved. The council says the move will put Cumbria at the "forefront of the national waste scene".

Carbon footprint

The council wants to set up environmentally-friendly recyclable plants in Carlisle and Barrow to avoid millions of pounds in government fines for over-filling landfill sites.

The £700m deal has been agreed with waste management company Shanks Group.

Councillor Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member for waste management, said: "This 25-year contract with Shanks shows a long-term commitment to providing the people of Cumbria with a modern, green and cost-effective way of dealing with their waste.

"It is probably the biggest single thing we as councillors will ever do to reduce our county's carbon footprint.

"It will make Cumbria one of the greenest counties in Britain and will put us at the forefront of the national waste scene."