PR 2563
AWARD WINNING RECYCLING IN BASINGSTOKE
Customers and staff from the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRCs) in Basingstoke are celebrating an award for their first-class recycling performance.
The facility, which is located in Wade Road, has been awarded the `Site of the Season' accolade by Hampshire County Council.
The County Council has a duty to provide places where residents can take their bulky household and garden waste, and with 24 HWRCs around the county, there is one within reasonable distance for most householders in Hampshire. Each site is provided by a designated contractor on the County Council's behalf.
The County Council recognises the important role these sites play, and as such is working hard to put more capital investment into improving the experience for customers. The Site of the Season competition was set up as a way of encouraging sites to further improve their services, and is awarded four times a year to a site that has made a special effort and commitment to recycling and customer service.
Basingstoke was chosen to win the autumn 2005 award due to its outstanding recycling and customer care performance over the past three months on a site which is currently only working on half capacity while it is being improved.
The HWRC, which is one of the busiest in the county, is undergoing building work which will double the capacity and number of parking spaces once it is completed in March 2006. A small temporary site is in operation while construction continues, however site staff have been praised by customers and officers alike for the way they have operated the site in difficult circumstances to cause the minimum of disruption to the public.
Executive Member for Environment (South), Cllr Tim Knight, said: "Hampshire's HWRCs play an important role for the public, taking in 250,000 tonnes of rubbish each year from up to four million visitors. I look forward to seeing how all 24 sites respond to try to make a better experience for users.
"Basingstoke HWRC has shown a strong commitment to making the site as easy as possible to use during the building work and are deserving of this accolade."
The site has been rewarded with a certificate to promote its achievements, while the staff received a prize of a hamper to enjoy. The next award for the winter months will be announced and awarded in March 2006.
ENDS
For further media information please contact: Sarette Martin on 01962 847666 sarette.martin@hants.gov.uk