BOURNEMOUTH residents are recycling more garden waste than ever, with 4,849 tonnes being composted during 2012.

This was a substantial increase from the 3,981 tonnes collected in 2011 and saw the average household recycling 173.2kg of green waste.

There are hopes 2013 will be even more successful as the scheme has now been expanded to 30,000 households.

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for cleansing and waste, said: “I am delighted to see so many residents of Bournemouth are keen gardeners and want to do the right thing when disposing of all their green waste.

“It is pleasing to be able to offer everyone on our waiting list the chance to join our green waste scheme as together we can recycle more.

“It means officially we are diverting 81 per cent of all Bournemouth’s waste from landfill with these figures expected to improve.”