RECYCLING in Hertfordshire has been given a boost after a new composting facility opened on the edge of Times Territory.

The plant, in Blackhorse Lane, South Mimms, will allow garden, food and card waste from across the county to be reprocessed.

Recycling company Agrivert, which operates the facility on behalf of the county council, hopes it will be able to convert more than 450,000 tonnes of waste into compost each year.

This will then be sold on to local farmers to use on their land.

Cllr Derrick Ashley, executive member for waste, said: “Your county council is committed to recycling and composting and it’s essential we make sure we have the best range of waste facilities in place to deal with all of Hertfordshire’s household waste.

“This is our fourth in-vessel composting contract and we can now deal with more organic waste within the county, which in turn keeps our costs down.”

He added: “Diverting food, garden waste and cardboard away from landfill is extremely important and residents can tangibly reduce their carbon footprint by taking advantage of the recycling schemes offered within Hertfordshire.

“The emissions from landfill caused by these forms of waste are so powerful that, if a household fully participates in recycling schemes, diverting this waste from landfill is the equivalent to that household reducing their car mileage by around 1,500km a year.”