Welsh councils offered help to boost recycling

The Collaborative Change Programme will offer all Welsh councils the chance to benefit from additional technical advice andexpertise to help them plan for up to 15 years to show how they will meet the targets set out in Wales waste strategy, ‘Towards Zero Waste’.

Wales is the only country in the UK to introduce statutory targets for municipal recycling; the first target is 52% in 2012/2013 increasing to 58% by 2015/2016, 64% by 2019/2020 and 70% by 2019/2020.

Thesupport programme will be delivered by WRAP Cymru with support from the Welsh Local Government Association. It is open to both individual authorities as well as those working in partnership on the delivery of service.

The announcement comes just shortly after Mr Griffiths pledged ‘delivery’ on waste in his term in office (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Griffiths said: The introduction of statutory targets and the escalation of landfill costs mean that local authorities have a strong economic imperative to reduce municipal waste and increase recycling rates. This programme will give participating councils access to the highest standard of advice and support, which will give them the best possible chance of reaching their targets.

I commend the collaborative approach which lies at the heart of this programme, and which is emblematic of the Welsh way of managing our waste. I call on local authorities to register their interest, and urge them to play their part in reducing Wales waste burden.

Programme

Under the Collaborative Change Programme, councils will receive help to identify gaps in service and changes needed to meet targets and detailed planning with cost forecasts and projected recycling outcomes.

A range of strategic and technical support will also be on offer, such as participation monitoring; advice and support in procuring equipment/goods; assistance in marketing recyclate to increase revenue; and, identifying and developing potential consortia.

In particular, the programme will support the sharing of best practice to improve service efficiency, cost and performance.

The Welsh Assembly Government has allocated funding for the first three years of the programme of 250,000 in 2011-12 and 500,000 for 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Application

To join, authorities have been invited to complete a short application form with some basic information. Support work is expected to start in the Autumn.

WRAP Cymru programme manager, Beth Winkley, said: WRAP Cymru is ideally placed to work alongside the WLGA and Welsh Government to lead the delivery of the Collaborative Change Programme. The decade of experience we have working alongside English local authorities will be tailored to meet the needs of Welsh Authorities. Wales has robust targets to eliminate avoidable waste and I am delighted that WRAP Cymru will be right alongside Welsh Authorities as they rise to the challenge.

Councillor Dyfed Edwards, WLGA environment spokesperson, added: “The WLGA has been working with the Welsh Government and WRAP to develop this programme. There are challenging statutory targets to be met and all authorities are working hard towards them.

“The programme will provide a range of practical support tailored to the specific needs of an authority, helping to overcome barriers they face to achieving higher rates of recycling. I welcome the launch of the programme and hope that maximum use will be made of the support that is available. An important element of the programme is that we will be encouraging peer support whereby authorities that have successfully overcome particular issues help others to improve”.