SOUTH Derbyshire District Council has been ranked in the top 100 authorities in the country for waste collection.

Government tables rate the council as the 83rd best performing out of 273 local authorities nationwide.

The ranking, published in the latest edition of Resource magazine, places South Derbyshire as the highest performing council in the county.

Figures show a total of 48% of household waste was sent for re-use, recycling or composting in the last year.

On average, the residual waste – referring to the household rubbish not able to be recycled, re-used or composted – stands at just 220.3kg per person.

Erewash Borough Council was 129th with 41.9% and 233.2kg per person; North East Derbyshire was 130th; Amber Valley 184th; Derbyshire Dales 206th; and East Staffordshire 231st.

Councillor John Bladen, chairman of the council's environmental and development services committee, said: "To achieve such a high ranking is a fantastic achievement.

"This table emphasises once again how well our residents recycle and the council's commitment to cutting down on residual waste.

"However, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We are committed to continuously improving these figures."

During the past year, recycling roadshows have been held throughout the district to keep residents informed about the council's kerbside green box scheme, kerbside composting, waste minimisation and the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. The aim now is to top the 50% mark for the amount of waste re-used or recycled.

Councillor Bladen said: "South Derbyshire residents have proved they are committed to recycling time and time again. At 48%, we already have the highest recycling rate in Derbyshire.

"However, with everyone behind us, we can break that golden 50% mark."