The Welsh Government has awarded a 2 million funding package to Merthyr Tydfil county borough council in order to boost the local authoritys recycling rate and introduce kerbside sorting to the region.
The funding, which was announced by Natural Resource Minister John Griffiths today (August 11), is part of the Collaborative Change Programme, established in 2011 to help councils meet statutory recycling targets (see letsrecycle.com story).
Welsh councils are obliged to meet a series of mandatory recycling targets or face financial penalties, increasing from 52% to 58% by 2015/16.
And, although many local authorities managed to hit the 52% target in 2012/13, Merthyr Tydfil achieved an overall recycling rate of 49% – meaning it is eligible for support under the Programme (see letsrecycle.com story).
In relation to other Welsh councils, Merthyr Tydfil achieved the fifth lowest recycling rate. Neath Port Talbot (48.3%), Swansea (47.9%), Torfaen (47.1%), and Rhondda Cynon Taf (46.2%) all achieved lower results.
Vehicles
The funding will enable the council which operates an in-house recycling collection service – to invest in new specialist collection vehicles, containers, depots, and equipment to move to a kerbside sort system for recycling, which will see materials separated into different vehicle compartments from early 2015.
The 2 million investment makes up half of the funding to be awarded to Welsh councils under the Programme in 2014, with another 4 million expected to be granted across the principality next year.
Commenting on the fund, Mr Griffiths said: The Collaborative Change Programme provides specialist advice and support to help local authorities to achieve their recycling targets. It supports them to invest in more efficient services within their financial means.
Merthyr Council is ambitious to improve its recycling rates and I know it will work closely with residents to achieve this.
By separating recycling, there will be less contamination, which means that the materials can fetch a higher price for the council. I hope this means that more materials will stay in Wales for use by Welsh companies, helping Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to avoid landfill taxes, increase their recycling rates and support recycling markets in Wales.
Support
Leader of Merthyr Tydfil council, councillor Brendan Toomey, added: Like all other local authorities, we must achieve our recycling targets set by Welsh Government. For Merthyr Tydfil however, this is not good enough, we want to be the best in Wales and with the introduction of this new recycling system and the support of our residents and local businesses, I am sure we can achieve this.
The funding follows an additional grant awarded to the council by WRAP Cymru last month, for an on-the-go recycling scheme which also aimed at boosting the rate.
The funding was used to purchase 20 mini street recycling units, as well as eight Taylor-manufactured street units placed across the town centre and communal areas outside a number of schools.
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