Wales in drive to reduce waste sent to landfill

It is important that residual waste is managed in the most sustainable way and that the waste we produce is progressively reduced over time

 
Jane Davidson, Welsh minister for environment

In Merthyr Tydfil, the funding will be used for a door-knocking campaign to encourage more households to recycle their waste and help Wales become a greener, more sustainable country. The council reported a 26.2% municipal waste recycling and composting rate in 2006/07.

The remainder of the £800,000 is expected to be used to support plastics recycling in Wales and develop “Zero waste places” – although full details have yet to emerge.

The move comes ahead of the launch of the revised Welsh Waste Strategy for consultation next month, which will set out a new framework for governing waste across the principality.

Jane Davidson, minister for the environment, sustainability and housing, said: “We all have a responsibility for our environment and to reduce Wales' ecological footprint. A huge part of this is reducing the amount of rubbish we send to landfill. This is no longer sustainable environmentally or financially. I am delighted to be supporting this new scheme to help Merthyr households with their recycling.

“The more we recycle and the less we throw away into landfill the greater our impact will be as individuals in guarding our environment.

“It is important that residual waste is managed in the most sustainable way and that the waste we produce is progressively reduced over time. Then, perhaps, in the more distant future we can contemplate true ‘zero waste – or not producing any waste at all,” she added.

Mike Thomas, head of environmental services for Merthyr Tydfil county borough council, welcomed the funding, which he said would help to boost participation in recycling.

He said: “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has already rolled out several initiatives this year, including weekly collection of food waste to 80% of our households. It's now down to increasing participation rates and a door knocking campaign is viewed as the best method of making meaningful contact with “reluctant” householders.

The recycling campaign will support Wise About Waste, Wales' strategy which set recycling targets for local authorities. The strategy is under review and will be re-launched for consultation with ambitious new targets to 2050 in April 2009.