Welsh Councils

#Recycling Week

Recycling in Wales continues to increase and is at its highest ever recorded level. The amount of waste being recycled across Welsh councils hit 60% in the 12 months to the end of March 2016. This compares to just 44% in England, a figure that has stayed stubbornly static over the past two years.

Councils in Wales currently have the highest average recycling rate of all the devolved nations, recycling 59% of waste collected, thanks to an ambitious long-term waste strategy to reduce waste and recycle 70% of all waste collected by local authorities. Unlike England, every local authority in Wales must meet recycling targets that rise gradually to 70% by 2025 or face fines. A report released in August 2016 comparing Wales, England and Northern Ireland's performance found that Wales is leading the way on CO2 savings, with over 258,000 tonnes of CO2 savings a year.

Ceredigion Council is the best performing local authority this year with a 68% recycling rate. Last week they launched a fortnightly kerbside glass recycling collection as a six-month trial for 850 homes. It is hoped it will increase recycling rates and, if successful, it could be rolled out across the county.

In July Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths has announced £5.75m to help Local Authorities implement improvements in recycling services. The funding will allow local authorities to invest in equipment such as recycling vehicles, make improvements to collections and depot facilities and enable them to improve their rates of recycling. 

Welsh Recycling Targets

58% by 2015-16 
64% by 2020 
70% by 2025
zero waste by 2050

#RecycleWeek