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."