THE latest weapon in the fight to reduce waste in Droitwich has been officially unveiled.

The town's municipal waste site has been upgraded by operator Severn Waste Services (SWS) to encourage people to recycle more of their rubbish by providing separate containers for different materials.

There is also a split-level system so people don't have to carry bulky items up steps.

SWS area director Philip Sherratt said the site was part of the firm's commitment to limit the amount of waste created by households and reduce pollution.

"The waste skips have compressors which mean more rubbish can be put into them," he said.

"This in turn means our lorries have to make fewer journeys to landfill sites, which will have a knock-on effect on pollution.

"The site is clean, easy to use and maximises the opportunity for people to recycle their rubbish conveniently and easily."

Since opening three months ago, the site has recycled approximately 2,000 tonnes of scrap metal, 40 tonnes of paper and 22 tonnes of bottles. A further 380 tonnes of garden waste has been composted into Soil Association-approved soil conditioner, which can be bought from the site.

Councillor John Smith, chairman of Wychavon District Council, joined vice chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Edward Sheldon, officer David Cowley and Wychavon councillors Tony Holtham and Don Lawley during a visit to the Hanbury Road site on Thursday morning.

The county council's director of environmental services, Richard Wigginton, who was also present, praised the site, saying he hoped it would encourage people to recycle.

"The problem of waste is everyone's problem and we all have to play a part in it," he said.

"Being provided with facilities like this hopefully means people will get people thinking in terms of recycling and reusing."

Coun Smith, who also sits on the board of Welcome to our Future, a charity promoting sustainable living, said he believed it wasn't just having the facilities that would encourage people to recycle, it was the fact it was conveniently situated.

"I believe having these facilities close by will also encourage people to recycle," he said.

"When you have facilities on the doorstep, you'll use them."