Welsh councils get £7.5m recycling services boost

The Welsh Government said that the minister’s allocation of funds underlined its ambition to become a “zero waste nation”.

Last week a statistical release noted that Wales had extended its lead “as best municipal recycling nation in the UK, to 12% above the UK average”, said a statement from the Welsh Government. And, it added that “in addition to leading the rest of the UK, a recent independent report showed Wales’ household recycling rate is second in Europe and third in the world”.

The £7.5m will support local authority improvements in recycling services in 2017/18 and will be administered under the Collaborative Change Programme (CCP). It  is a programme of the Welsh Government which was developed in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association. It is delivered under contract by the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

The CCP provides specialist support to Local Authorities by awarding capital grants where local authorities want to change services to improve overall performance and to align services better with Welsh Government policies.

The Minister confirmed the funding after visiting Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s recycling depot in Pentrebach. Merthyr has been awarded nearly £1.3m in 2017/18 with which it intends to invest in specialist machinery and equipment including a recycling baler and trolley boxes.

Success

Hannah Blythyn said: “Wales’ recycling success is a real devolution success story. In the 20 years since Wales said ‘yes’, our recycling rate has increased from just over 5% to 64% – the third best in the world. Only last week it was officially confirmed Wales has increased its lead over the rest of the UK.

“This is excellent news but I know there is still plenty of room for more. Our recycling achievements have been massively boosted through improvements and expertise provided by Welsh Government funding. This is why I am approving over £7.5m for this year towards the Collaborative Change Programme. This funding will enable local authorities to adopt practices that lead to further improvements and help us achieve our ambitious targets”.

62% recycling

Leader of Merthyr Tydfil county borough council, Councillor Kevin O’Neill said: “Since the implementation of the Welsh Government funded Collaborative Change Programme, Merthyr Tydfil county borough council has gone from a failing authority rated 22nd in Wales to 9th in Wales; achieved by recycling 62% of its municipal waste.”

Cllr O’Neill continued: “Changes that were made to the recycling collection services include us going from a co-mingled to a multi stream collection; reducing residual waste capacity and changing the  infrastructure of the Council’s recycling depot. We would of course like to offer a sincere thank you to all residents in Merthyr Tydfil who recycle and who have helped to reach these recycling figures.”