Groups concerned councils ‘rowing back’ recycling policies
A COALITION of green groups has raised concerns that some councils are rowing back on recycling policies during the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford, they have called on him to issue fresh guidance to local authorities.
The letter – signed by officials of the UK Without Incineration Network, the Wales Green Party, Cardiff Community Energy and the Zero Waste International Trust – stated: “Many councils are cutting out some recycling collections to reduce the workload for staff. In Cardiff, green garden waste and bulky waste collections have been suspended and a trial to separate glass waste for 17,000 homes has been suspended. Household waste recycling centres have also closed due to UK Government advice.
“We are concerned that decisions taken in the current climate may risk undermining the great achievements that Wales has made over many years in promoting a recycling society.
“In the interests of environmental sustainability, combating climate change, and supporting the move towards a more circular economy, we hope that matters will be handled in such a way as to minimise any longterm adverse impacts on efforts to encourage and support re-use, recycling and composting/anaerobic digestion. We call on you to write to Cardiff and all other Welsh councils to emphasise the importance of maintaining core recycling services, setting out details of whatever support and the advice the Welsh Government can give to enable this to happen.
“Such an act would help prevent short-term shortages of raw material to key industries as well as helping to promote the long-term success of the Welsh Government’s resource and recycling strategies.
“We urge you to do what you can to turn a weakness into a strength by supporting local authorities to prepare to re-educate citizens to better appreciate recycling requirements once normal services resume. The time is now to prepare the ground for a green recovery that supports both the Welsh economy and the environment.”
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “We’re very proud of our record on recycling. Local authorities have worked hard to maintain collections during the pandemic under immense pressure, dealing with additional work, fewer staff and greater demand.
“They are responding brilliantly. The collection and processing of household waste and recycling is a key service and we are working with the Welsh Local Government Association and local authorities to ensure this service is prioritised and maintained.”