A multi-million pound project has transformed recycling rates in the area from one of the worst in Britain to the best in Kent, according to council bosses.

In the past, when it came to recycling, people in Gravesham did not want to know.

However, since Gravesham council introduced a new waste collection scheme last June, costing £4.9million, recycling rates have shot up.

Previously just a measly 23% of our waste was recycled, but that has risen to 38% and council leader Cllr John Burden believes Gravesham will hit the 40% mark by spring.

He praised the scheme, which was funded thanks to a hefty government grant, resulting in no extra cost to the tax payer.

Cllr Burden claimed it was now the “most successful in Kent”.

He said: “I think the official figures at the moment are showing recycling rates of 38%.

“The recycling of food waste has gone up dramatically and the fact we recycle more in Gravesend now is good news.

“The important thing is the residents; it’s through their efforts that we can hit these targets.”

Government cash funded aspects of the initiative such as new bins, delivery of the bins, storage, a new fleet of refuse vehicles, additional staff and marketing.

However, the continued cost of operating the improved service will come out of council coffers.

Gravesham council was one of the last authorities in Kent to replace weekly bin collections with something greener.

Cllr Burden believes the pragmatic approach allowed them to learn from others’ mistakes.

He said: “I think we looked at a couple of other schemes that have been implemented in places like Swale and Ashford, where there were problems with the bins or there hadn’t been adequate collection of waste.

“What we have done in Gravesham was a benefit of being one of the last schemes in Kent.”

The success holds the borough in good stead for the future. The government has set recycling targets of 50% by 2020, and fines for those authorities which fail.