N.Wales is hitting recycling targets

NORTH Wales councils are all hitting Welsh Government recycling targets.

Rolling figures, including the last quarter of 2015-16, released by the Welsh Government show the amount of recycling each of Wales’ 22 local authorities has managed. The figures will not be verified until October.

Denbighshire and Wrexham achieved the highest recycling rates, with 62%, compared with a target of 58%.

As it stands, three councils in South Wales – Blaenau Gwent (49%), Torfaen (57%) and Newport (57%) – have missed their targets and are at risk of a fine.

All councils were told by the Welsh Government they had to recycle 58% of waste in 2015-16 as part of an ambitious target to recycle 64% of waste by 2020 and 70% of waste by 2024-25.

Based on the provisional data, the average figure was 60%, an increase of 4% on last year.

Last year, authorities which missed their targets had their fines – a total of £1.8m – waived by then Minister for Natural Resources Carl Sargeant.

Cardiff council avoided a £802,000 fine by the Welsh Government and Rhondda Cynon Taf council avoided a fine of £582,400. Merthyr was also in line for a £224,000 fine.

The Welsh Government insisted that imposing fines at that time would be counter-productive.

Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “This is the first year recycling targets have increased beyond the ambitious level of 58%, up from the previous year’s target of 52%.

“The fact these figures not only achieve the target but, in fact, exceed it is highly encouraging, showing we are continually improving our recycling rate. It’s clear that local authorities and householders are working hard to recycle and we are well on the way to achieving our 70% recycling target set for 2025.

“I am proud that we lead the rest of the UK in our recycling rate but I want us to do even better and become Europe’s best recycling nation.” Anglesey ...................................... 59% Gwynedd ..................................... 59% Conwy .......................................... 60% Denbighshire ............................... 62% Flintshire ..................................... 58% Wrexham ...................................... 62%