RECYCLING by people living in the Culm Valley and Blackdown Hills has helped Mid Devon District Council to be shortlisted for a national environmental award.

It is one of nine local authorities selected for the Local Government Chronicle’s environment services award in recognition of its work to increase recycling rates and reduce fly-tipping and littering.

The nomination highlights the success of the council’s Bin-It 123 initiative, which introduced three-weekly bin collections in 2022 and has since achieved a near-60 per cent recycling rate while significantly reducing residual waste, putting it in the top 10 per cent of authorities nationally.

Cabinet member Cllr Josh Wright said: “By working together, we have made significant progress, and we hope to build on this even further in the years ahead.”