Launched by environment minister Jane Davidson in Llandudno, the 148-page document sets out key areas of work for Wales 22 local authorities and identifies how they can achieve the countrys statutory recycling targets.
At the forefront of the plan, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is calling on councils to work closely with government and it also places an emphasis on weekly recycling and food waste collections and fortnightly residual waste collections.
The Municipal Sector Plan, which was published for consultation in June 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story), is one of six being formulated by the WAG which will be used to structure government waste policy.
It is intended to complement the countrys Towards Zero Waste strategy, which was published in June 2010 and sets out a 70% waste recycling target across all sector by 2025.
These recycling targets were made statutory under the Wales (Waste) Measure, which received Royal Assent in December 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Speaking at the launch, Ms Davidson said: Our plans our based on evidence, not ideology; they combine legislation- in the form of statutory targets with an expectation that councils will work closely with the Assembly Government to develop the most sustainable and cost-effective recycling services.
Focus
The document focuses on four key areas for councils to address: waste prevention; preparing for reuse; collection of source separated waste for recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion; and, sustainable treatment and disposal.
Within the area of waste prevention, the WAG intends to reduce waste by 1.2%-a-year compared to 2007 by 2050.
This is expected to be achieved through measures such as the use of changes in residual waste collection frequency, increased awareness around waste, encouragement of products reuse and action by retailers through Courtauld Commitment 2.
Meanwhile, on preparing for reuse, the WAG expects all 22 councils to offer bulky waste collections and support development of a reuse infrastructure. This is in addition to research into developing the role of the social economy and baseline data.
On waste and recycling collection, the WAG used the Municipal Sector Plan to reaffirm its support for kerbside sort as its preferred collection method (see letsrecycle.com story).
Furthermore, on sustainable treatment and disposal, the WAG intends to introduce caps on energy-from-waste, investigate the potential for landfill bans and draw up landfill allowance scheme targets to 2020, among other initiatives.
Consultation
Also at the event, the minister launched the consultation for its draft Collections, Infrastructure and Market Sector Plan. The second of the sector plan proposals is focussed on assessing where improvements in recycling collections are needed and the potential for infrastructure development.
The plan, which is described by the WAG as a medium-term strategy, is primarily aimed at galvanising the private waste management sector in Wales.
Ms Davidson said: Recycling is not just about being green; it makes real economic sense.
“High recycling means more jobs for Welsh workers, more raw materials for Welsh industry and lower costs for Welsh councils and businesses. Ignoring our waste is not an option, not least because it would mean significantly higher costs.
She added that research carried out by WRAP Cymru had shown that meeting waste prevention and recycling targets outlined within the Collections, Infrastructure and Market Sector Plan could save Wales 88 million-a-year by 2025 if achieved.
The deadline for responses to the draft document is June 10 2011.
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