THE rubbish an average Oxfordshire household throws out every year weighs more than a small car.

Oxfordshire is one of the best performing counties for waste reduction and recycling – but authorities want to sign up to a joint strategy in the future.

About 58 per cent of the county's household waste is currently recycled, more than the Government's target of 50 per cent.

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The amount of rubbish an average household throws away has fallen over recent years.

In 2006/07, an average household chucked 1,173.5kg, but in 2016/17 that had dropped to 1,053.2kg.

In comparison, a Smart car weighs 880kg.

Oxford Mail:

Cherwell District Council's executive will be asked to agree to a joint plan that will be adopted by other authorities at a meeting next Monday.

Oxford Mail:

Despite less going to landfill, 4,500 tonnes of waste will still be rejected for recycling in 2019.

With significant population growth expected over coming decades, Oxfordshire councils expect to deal with another 130,000 tonnes of waste every year.

Annually, dealing with a bigger population will cost another £16m.

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Councils anticipate the county's population to soar from about 677,000 today to 944,700 by 2040.

Currently authorities spend about £42m on waste and recycling in an average year.

More work could include recycling more items, a report outlining the joint plan states.

A greater alignment of work between districts could also help cut waste and increase recycling rates, it argues.