MCC says thanks to recyclers

Residents who use recycling services were thanked by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) officers at a meeting today (19.01.09).

Increasing numbers of people in the county are finding more and more things to recycle, as new systems are being tried out. In some areas this is leading to recycling rates that are better than any in Wales.

MCC has seen a steady increase in recent months in its recycling and composting performance, and a particularly busy Christmas and New Year period. One initiative recently introduced is a two-box pilot system for 2320 homes in a mixture of rural and urban areas in the Wye Valley and the south of the county. It covers cardboard, plastics, paper, cans, glass and textiles and has been running for two months so far.

In a recent monitoring exercise nearly 90% of residents of the Danes area of Chepstow were found to be using the improved service over a three week period, and weights collected show that an average household is putting out well over a quarter of a tonne a year for the recycling crews. This is better than any district's performance in Wales to date, according to official Waste figures.

Dave Harris, MCC's Head of Waste Management, said:

"We offer a variety of services to help residents reduce, reuse and recycle, and we want to say a big thank you to the increasing numbers that are making use of them. This two-box service is one way that the council is looking at to keep more out of the bin, and I'm very pleased to hear that Monmouthshire has a chance to lead the way in Wales with the weights we are pulling in.

"As a result of the current economic climate, some councils have had to stockpile materials as their value has dropped and they can't sell them for as much as they used to.

"However, in Monmouthshire it's good to know that we have a number of established contracts for materials that are holding up well in the economic climate.

"For instance Monmouthshire residents can be pretty sure that the Christmas edition of their favourite newspaper has made it to the paper mill and back through the recycling loop at least once by now.

"There are still residents out there who are not making full use of our recycling opportunities - people can recycle their food waste, their green & garden waste or dry waste such as newspapers& magazines, cans, bottles, and similar materials. We are providing weekly collections for all of these either with a box for sorting or sack for mixed recyclables, a food waste bin, or a green waste collection. There is plenty stiil to be done so we would urge everyonto take part and reduce the waste that has to go to landfill."

Monmouthshire Community Recycling operates some of the recycling services on behalf of MCC and they are following up with a customer survey to find out where there might be room for further improvement.

One resident of the pilot area, Di Smith from Caerwent [pictured] explained why they were using the new, improved service:

"I think most people want to do their bit as long as it is not too much bother and they can see the effect. I have been using the black box for years, it's second nature, but now that I have the second box and I can put my plastics and cardboard out too, I can really see the difference in my bin."