South Derbyshire households are being encouraged to continue their fine festive recycling efforts in the months to come.

New figures show residents have given the best possible present to the environment over the Christmas period.

54.76 tonnes of glass and 4.43 tonnes of cans were left in recycling banks, while 4.8 tonnes of real trees were collected from specially designated drop off points.

With the first compost collections of 2012 to start between January 23 and February 3, a perfect opportunity has arisen to continue the momentum.

Food and garden waste can be left in brown bins on the dates outlined in recycling calendars distributed to every home. This will be turned into a treat for gardeners at the Biffa composting site in Etwall.

Residents are being reminded cardboard can no longer be left in brown bins due to national legislation changes. Instead it can be taken to recycling centres and schools receiving money for recyclables as part of the Cash for Trash scheme. These are listed at www.south-derbys.gov.uk.

South Derbyshire District Council is currently looking at options to further enhance its kerbside collection scheme to introduce a new service including cardboard and plastic as well as the existing recyclables.

Cllr Peter Watson, Chairman of Environmental and Development Services at the authority, said: “We would like to thank all our households for their hard work to help the environment.

The green Christmas and New Year period experienced further enhances the reputation of South Derbyshire residents, who have the highest recycling rate in the county and continually go above and beyond.

“We are now encouraging them to continue their efforts to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.”

Anyone wanting more information about recycling in South Derbyshire should telephone 01283 595795 or email waste.cleansing@south-derbys.gov.uk.