Mid Devon District Council has been shortlisted in recognition of its work to increase recycling rates, and reduce fly-tipping and littering.

The Council is one of nine local authorities selected for the Local Government Chronicle’s (LGC) Environment Services Award.

The nomination highlights the success of the Council’s Bin-It 123 initiative, which introduced three-weekly bin collections in October 2022. Since its implementation, Mid Devon has achieved a 5% increase in recycling rates, bringing the total to nearly 60%, and significantly reducing residual waste. This progress has placed Mid Devon District Council among the top 10% of authorities nationally. 

Councillor Josh Wright, Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, said:

"This recognition is a testament to the contribution of our residents, who have shown strong support for Bin-It 123, helping to improve recycling rates and reduce the district’s carbon footprint. 

“By working together, we have made significant progress, and we hope to build on this even further in the years ahead."

In-person judging presentations are set to take place from 27 March to 4 April, with the winner being announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, 11 June. 

The Council’s achievements have also been formally recognised by the Office for Local Government, which named Mid Devon as one of the most improved Councils in the country for recycling. In January 2024, Mid Devon District Council was invited to share its success with other local authorities, offering insights into the policies and strategies that have driven its environmental improvements.