THE hugely successful Don t let Devon go to waste campaign is to launch a new promotion from Monday, September 15, to thank the public for their commitment to recycling.

THE hugely successful Don't let Devon go to waste campaign is to launch a new promotion from Monday, September 15, to thank the public for their commitment to recycling.

Because of their enthusiasm and efforts, Devon is the third best recycling county in England, with a recycling/composting rate of 50 percent, way above the overall rate for England of 32 percent.

The new campaign includes a television advert featuring a young farmer playing a recycled drum kit imagining he is playing to a huge audience.

When he comes out of his daydream, he realises his only crowd are his cows.

The aim of the advert is to recognise all the effort that people put into recycling and to show how it can catch on.

By injecting humour into the campaign, it is hoped to encourage others to start recycling and help Devon reach its target of 60 percent recycling/composting by 2019/20.

The recycling rate in Devon has increased year on year since it was introduced in 1978. Then, licensed totters recovered recyclables from items brought to recycling centres across the country. Bottle and glass banks were first introduced to Devon in 1980 with its first paper bank arriving in 1991.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, executive member for the environment at Devon County Council, said: "I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone in Devon for making the effort to recycle. It really is a fantastic achievement.

"The county has worked hard for many years to provide excellent recycling services and develop its green reputation while the public have given every scheme tremendous support. Everyone who has contributed should be very proud."

Don't let Devon go to waste is also celebrating the reduction in the growth of waste produced across the county - currently standing at 0.1%, from 3.1% the previous year. The public will now be challenged to avoid unnecessary packaging and cut down on food waste.

For more information about recycling visit www.recycledevon.org or call 0845 450 2477.