The minister was responding to recommendations made in the Environment and Sustainability Committee report on Recycling in Wales, and stated that he was pleased that the Committee had recognised the “overwhelmingly positive” picture of recycling in Wales.
The province recorded a 58% recycling rate in the second quarter of 2014/15, the highest individual performance in the UK (see letsrecycle.com story).
Speaking in the Welsh Assembly today (March 11), he said: “Thanks to the efforts of individuals and local authorities, Wales continues to lead the UK with its recycling targets, exceeding those in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and would be ranked fourth in the EU if it were a separate member state. This is no mean feat and whilst I accept there are challenges ahead I am optimistic of achieving future targets.”
As part of his response the minister also agreed with the Committee’s recommendation that the Welsh Government should commission an independent review of its collections blueprint – which would mean a more standard approach to waste collections across all authorities in Wales.
Blueprint
The collections blueprint was originally published in 2010 and outlines the Welsh Government’s preference for ‘kerbside sort’ collection method of recyclable material from householders.
He added: “We are already planning to review our policy and targets on waste as part of the normal cycle of producing and revising our waste strategy and waste prevention programme. It is timely to refresh the blueprint that was first published in 2010 and we already plan to update the blueprint in 2015, taking account of new developments in equipment, the results of pilots, changes in markets, and the need for new additional materials to be collected to meet the higher recycling targets.
Mr Sargeant acknowledged the Committee’s finding that some local authorities do not share the Government’s belief that universal adoption of the blueprint would provide the most sustainable option, but added that he sees “many positive benefits for local authorities if the blueprint approach is adopted.”
He added: “The widespread adoption of the blueprint provides the best overall economic, financial, social and environmental solution for Wales. It will lead to efficiency savings through procurements, to shared depot facilities and a more consistent approach for householders as well as a consistent way of presenting materials to market.
“I continue to call on local authorities to adopt the collections blueprint where a service review identifies that it is the best option – leading to a more consistent universal service across Wales.”
The review will also examine the use of weight-based targets in encouraging recycling in Wales. The minister added that while the review is underway it is important that local authorities continue with their efforts to review services and make any necessary changes to achieve significant cost savings.
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