Residents in Chichester District are being urged to continue recycling as much waste as possible, despite reports of difficulties in recycling markets.

In recent weeks there have been media reports about the problems faced by councils and the recycling industry, due to the credit crunch and recession.

The world is experiencing a financial crisis, which is affecting many sectors, including manufacturing, where a significant reduction in demand for goods is being felt. This in turn has hit the recycling sector with less demand for certain recyclable materials, and sharp falls in some material values.

There have been reports that in a few parts of the country, councils are beginning to stockpile materials until market conditions improve. This is not the case here in Chichester and in West Sussex.

"I can assure our residents that all the materials they save for recycling, be it cans, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, glass jars and bottles, are all being sent for recycling", says Councillor Pieter Montyn, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, at Chichester District Council. "We do not want residents in any way to be deterred from recycling due to news reports of some councils facing problems. All materials collected here are being passed to recycling reprocessors as always and are being turned into new products."

"Chichester District residents have been among the top recyclers in the country over the last three years. Last year we recycled, and diverted from landfill, over 16,000 tonnes of household waste. By continuing to place all wanted recyclable materials in the burgundy bins, and at the great many public recycling banks around the district, they can carry on being recycling leaders with the confidence that all the materials are being recycled."

A planning application has been submitted to Chichester District Council to recycle some 15,000 tons of sand and shingle into the vulnerable hinge and neck area of East Head in Chichester Harbour.

The plan will involve recycling material from the north to the south of East Head to create an enlarged barrier beach that will significantly widen and strengthen the point of the beach where East Head joins the West Wittering car park.

This work is the first step in implementing the new Coastal Defence Strategy for the West Wittering and East Head frontages, and it is hoped it will be undertaken in March 2009.

The strategy is based on the Adaptive Management of East Head and will seek to maintain the social, economic, environmental and navigational value of the feature for the life of the strategy. It will involve responding and adapting to changes at East Head caused by coastal processes and sea level rise with a number of different measures. 

The project is being taken forward by a partnership consisting of West Wittering Parish Council, Chichester District Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the National Trust, West Wittering Estate, Cakeham Manor Estate, the Woodger Trust and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy. The Harbour Conservancy will act as the contractor to undertake the works on behalf of the partnership.

The scheme enjoys widespread public support, and, despite no available government funding, will be paid for by some of the partnership members.