WELL DONE! That is the message to York residents for their recycling efforts during festive period.

More than 700 tonnes of recyclable waste was collected through the kerbside scheme over Christmas and the New Year - 30 per cent more than during the same period in 2005.

That represents 162 tonnes of additional recyclable waste recycled instead of landfilled, equivalent to 11 fewer fully-loaded refuse trucks.

The city's recycling banks and three Household Waste Recycling Centres have also had one of their busiest months during January.

Geoff Derham, head of waste services at City of York Council, said: "Residents have shown their commitment to recycling even at this busy time of year.

"This represents a huge environmental saving to the city as recycling only one drinks can will save enough energy to run a television set for three hours.

"Residents should be proud of their contribution towards this fantastic achievement."

York residents' commitment to recycling has been confirmed by the results of a major survey into the city's recycling habits.

Over 78 per cent of those who responded considered themselves "committed recyclers" who regarded recycling as "very or fairly important" and who said that they recycle even if it requires additional effort and recycle "a lot" or "everything that they can".

And it is older residents who are the most committed to recycling, with 55 to 74 year-olds cited as the keenest recyclers.

The survey also showed recycling habits are directly affected by the level of effort required, with 17 per cent of respondents stating they were only willing to recycle if no additional effort was required.

John Miller, recycling and external affairs manager of Yorwaste, said: "This is a tremendous credit to the residents of York, who have embraced recycling so whole-heartedly.

"However, some recyclable rubbish is still thrown away, so residents are reminded to refer to the collection leaflet or the council's website for full details of what can be recycled."

All materials collected on the kerbside recycling collections are taken to the Yorwaste Materials Recycling Facility in Hessay for sorting, baling and the reprosessing into new materials.

For more information about recycling, visit www.york.gov.uk/waste or phone 01904 551551.