WHEN it comes to "dry recycling," Eastleigh council already leads the country for reclaiming such items as plastic bottles, newspaper, junk mail, cardboard and cans.

But thanks to a year-long pilot project and the efforts of people in Botley and Boorley Green, the authority is set to become even more successful.

A pioneering pilot project - dubbed Community Waste Action in Botley and designed to increase recycling - was launched in Botley and Boorley Green last autumn.

Its aim was to raise awareness and support for recycling, reduce confusion about materials that can be recycled and to work with the parish council to enhance recycling facilities.

Figures show that the domestic recycling rate in the area is up two per cent to 30 per cent compared to a borough-wide figure of 27 per cent. The council is considering using the knowledge it has gained to roll the scheme out to other parts of the borough.

A team of council officers and the Botley Parish Council clerk Leanne Atkinson co-ordinated the project which included regular meetings with a focus group of residents plus the publication of The Botley Recycler newsletter.

Three editions of the Recycler were published and delivered to all households in the pilot area giving advice and tips on recycling. One edition also included a survey questionnaire which provided several hundred responses giving a unique insight into local attitudes to recycling.

Among its successes, the project improved management of the Mortimer Road recycling centre, introduced Christmas tree recycling, saw household composting increase by seven per cent and introduced a clothing bank plus cassette and book recycling.

Eastleigh's executive councillor for the environment, Louise Bloom, said: "To achieve this level of improvement on an already impressive recycling rate is very encouraging."