The recycling and waste service provided by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has been shortlisted for a national award.

The borough council is nominated for the “Waste Management Award” at the Government Business Awards 2011.

Researchers looked at more than 400 collection and disposal authorities across the country to find “outstanding” schemes that are cost effective, provide a high level of service and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Other councils shortlisted for the accolade are Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, London Borough of Hillingdon, Peterborough City Council and Hull City Council.

The winner will be announced on 17 February at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.

Cllr. David Becket, Cabinet member for environment and recycling, said: “I’m delighted that we have been singled out nationally for best practice in waste management.

“Recycling in Newcastle has been revolutionised. We have an efficient scheme that separates materials at the kerbside which means all of it is turned into new products.

“But this recognition is not possible without the effort of residents, who have really embraced recycling.”

People can now recycle plastic bottles and cardboard as part of their fortnightly recycling collections.

Weekly food waste collections were later launched along with the extension of the garden waste service to all homes with a garden.

Food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion plant at Lower Reule Farm in Stafford where it is turned into electricity, heat to grow strawberries and fertiliser for farms.

The diversion of useful material from the general rubbish bin means that these containers are now emptied every two weeks.

Recycling rates have since increased from 27 per cent to over 50 per cent.

For more information about recycling, visit www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/recycling .