EALING Council's waste and recycling contractor, Greener Ealing (GEL), has made a very positive start to 2021, with collection rates being nearly perfect.

Figures provided by the council for January show that 99.97% of all collections were done correctly the first time around, rising to a 100% rate within 24 hours.

Missed collection rates have improved dramatically since GEL took over from the council's previous contractor in July last year.

The target is for less than 100 missed collections per 100,000, something which has been achieved across rubbing, recycling and food waste every month since October.

Kevin O'Leary, GEL's managing director, said: "Since our launch in July we have ploughed all our efforts into getting things right and delivering the service that the council wants for its residents.

"We still have some challenges, but the data shows we are doing a good job and the figures continue to improve.

"Assisted collections are particularly important to get right first time and while our error margin is small, we endeavour to hit our target and maintain it."

An assisted refuse and recycling collection service is for residents who are physically unable to put out their rubbing and recycling for collection and do not have anyone who can help them.

A total of six missed assisted collections were reported in January, compared to 40 in the same month last year.

Last month's collection targets were exceeded in all areas and were an improvement on last year's figures.

Street cleanliness also showed vast improvements, with 82.27% of streets receiving an A or B rating, compared to 54.18% for the same time last year.

Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents (LAGER Can) who work closely with GEL to ensure a cleaner Ealing for all, have also praised the work GEL staff are doing.

LAGER Can administrator, Cathy Swift, said: "Our group has been impressed with the attitude and hard work we have seen from GEL staff.

"They respond quickly to the many reports our volunteers make and we think they have made a positive difference to the borough since they launched.

"We are pleased to be working with them and making positive changes in the community."