Swansea was the real success story of 2013/14. Having failed to meet the 52% statutory target last year, the council has set an example by devising new ways of getting its recycling message out to households.
Its big initiative has been a restriction on the number of black bags residents can put out for collection, which according to a council spokesman has attracted ‘very few’ complaints and also helped reduce landfill costs. Swansea’s practical approach to recycling has paid off- its rate has jumped from 47.9% to 52.8% in the space of 12 months.
But there was cause for concern in Cardiff, where the recycling rate came spiraling down from 52.2% and reached a low of 49.7%. The authority says it is ‘keenly aware’ of the issue, with plans to either limit refuse collections or reduce bin capacity as part of a new strategy in 2015.
Cardiff has a long way to go if it hopes to reach the 58% target in less than two years’ time – but recycling officers will breathe a sigh of relief that resource minister Carl Sargeant has remained deliberately ambiguous over penalties. If they’re lucky, he’ll choose the carrot over the stick.
Subscribe for free