INCREASES in York kerbside recycling mean a North Yorkshire waste plant is the busiest it has ever been.

The Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), at Hessay, a joint operation between Yorwaste, Yorventure and City of York Council, is now handling more waste than at any time in its five-year life.

Originally receiving 50 tonnes per week of recyclable material, mainly from the council's kerbside collections, the plant today handles an average of 450 tonnes per week an increase of 800 per cent.

A quarter of this total comes from York kerbside collections, which serves about 70,000 city households. The rise has meant the centre deals with about 28.5 tonnes of waste an hour, allowing it to expand its services and offer dedicated office paper collection and cardboard rounds, as well as a confidential destruction service.

John Miller, Yorwaste's recycling and external affairs manager, said: "The MRF has grown at an incredible rate. We are delighted with its performance. Yorwaste invested heavily in this facility in order to offer an alternative method of disposal to landfill."

Meanwhile, Coun Andrew Waller, the council's environment chief, is reminding residents they can help reduce the amount of energy the city uses.

Monday is World Environment Day, and Coun Waller said residents can help to improve efficiency and save cash.

Stopping junk mail, recycling more, composting kitchen waste, insulating homes and switching off electrical appliances can all help reduce the impact on the environment.

Coun Waller said: "Reducing our impact on the environment is a huge joint effort between the council, voluntary groups, the government, businesses and individuals.

"There is a huge range of ways for residents to take small steps in the right direction, and City of York Council can help with practical advice and cheap equipment. I hope many residents will mark World Environment Day and consider the small changes possible to help."