Data shows Wales “in line” with 40% recycling goal

For the first time, Wales is recycling over 40% of its waste

 
Jane Davidson AM

The data shows that the country's recycling rate increased in the first quarter of the 2009/10 financial year, both in relation to the 36% rate it achieved over the same period in 2008/09, and the 35% it reached in the previous quarter, January to March 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).

But, the country will need to at least come close to maintaining the Q1 rate across the rest of 2009/10 if it is to reach the 40% target, which represents the first step in the Welsh Assembly Government's plans to reach a 70% municipal waste recycling and composting target by 2025 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Commenting on the figures, Ms Davidson said: “These stats show that, for the first time, Wales is recycling over 40% of its waste, in line with the target we have set of 40% for 2009/10.

“I want to thank the people of Wales for their magnificent effort, and the local authorities for all their hard work. We must now make sure this progress continues as the Welsh Assembly Government's vision goes much further,” she added.

Trends

Today's figures also reveal a continuation of trends which have emerged in previous quarterly data releases from the WAG, in particular a fall in waste arisings and a decline in the amount of residual household waste produced.

The total amount of municipal waste produced in Wales fell from 440,000 tonnes in April-June 2008 to 427,000 tonnes in April-June 2009, while the residual waste per person decreased from 86 kilograms a person in April-June 2008 to 77kg per person in April-June 2009.

Local authorities

In terms of Wales' 22 local authorities, Denbighshire and the Isle of Anglesey topped the recycling and composting league table for April to June 2009, achieving 54% and 53% respectively, while Ceredigion also topped 50% – reaching 51%.

This means Denbighshire's recycling and composting rate has improved by 20% from the 34% it reached in April to June 2008.

Blaenau Gwent was the only council not to top a 30% recycling and composting rate in Q1, achieving just 27%.

Wales provisionally achieved a 36% recycling and composting rate for 2008/09 (see letsrecycle.com story), but the confirmed figures are expected to be published in late next month, while the figures for the second quarter of 2009/10 are due to be issued in January 2010.