RESIDENTS in the borough are continuing to help improve recycling rates year-on-year, according to the latest government statistics.

Statistics published last week by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs shows that 50 per cent of the waste produced in the Wigan borough was sent for recycling, composting or reusing.

This is well above the national average for councils of 43% and already beats the target set by the EU for the UK to recycle at least 50% of household waste by 2020.