Preliminary residential recycling figures by Waste Management for last year show that, "Regrettable, the numbers are down compared to the previous year,'' a Works Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Reluctance to adapt, equipment breakdowns and even the media were blamed for the poor results.

The Waste Management section has reacted by launching a series of recycling public announcements on radio and television which will also explain what hazardous waste materials are and what can safely go in the garbage incinerator.

The campaign is the "first stage'' in increasing public awareness and participation in recycling and other waste issues.

A total of 740 tons of aluminium, steel, newspaper and glass were recycled last year.

This compares to 1,200 tons in 1993.

The Works Ministry has pinpointed a number of factors leading to the decline, the spokesman said.

For one, the newspaper shredder at Devon Springs was out of service for four months last year.

"Because of this we were unable to dispose of the newspaper and there was an accumulation,'' the spokesman said. Once this was resolved we were able to recycle the paper and use it for animal bedding.'' Options for disposal of recycled newspaper would be "one of the first issues'' the Ministry will look into this year.

Another factor for the decline in recycling "may have been a result of some media reports that erroneously stated that our Devon Springs facility was not producing,'' the spokesman said. "There were problems with the glass crusher equipment. However, these were soon rectified and by late September the overall facility was once again producing at capacity.'' A breakdown of the 1994 figures shows collection of: 52 tons of aluminium, 166 tons of steel, 103 tons of newspaper and 421 tons of glass.

There were some encouraging results, the Ministry said. It had to increase its shipments of aluminium and steel for disposal in the United States from once every two weeks to weekly.

And recycled glass was being used at the old Pembroke dump to construct a new road on the landfill and develop a solid base for new equipment being purchased for it.

"Now that the incinerator is operating, we have all the components and equipment in place to complete our waste management objectives,'' the Ministry stated. "It is our intention during the year to continue with the programmes and advertising to educate everyone about the benefits of recycling.

"We realise that recycling like any lifestyle change, is a gradual process and not everyone will adapt readily. We are very appreciative of those who are consciously making every effort to recycle.'' Schools, community groups and businesses were encouraged to contact Waste Management for recycling presentations.