The Vale is one of the most improved councils for recycling in Wales 

17 April 2012

Recycling rates in the Vale of Glamorgan have improved by 15%, making the Vale of Glamorgan Council the second most improved local authority in Wales.

Municipal waste management statistics released by the Welsh Government reveal that only one other council showed a better improvement at 16%, when comparing recycling performance for October to December for 2010 and 2011.

By April 2013, all local authorities are required to have a year-end minimum achievement of 52% for reusing, recycling and composting their municipal waste.

And figures show the Vale of Glamorgan has achieved its target more than one year earlier than required by the Welsh Government, by attaining 52% for the period from October to December 2011.

Head of visible services Miles Punter praised residents for making huge efforts to improve the Vale’s environment.

Mr Punter said: “My thanks are extended to every resident who takes time to conscientiously recycle, diverting material from landfill sites; ensuring the benefit is both an environmental and financial one.”

“This success is clearly down to the concerted efforts of all involved. I am grateful for the hard work of our excellent crews and our contractors Biffa and Cowbridge Compost.

“Introducing our fortnightly black bag service and weekly co-mingled collections coupled with the addition of three new materials - clean foil, rinsed cartons and empty aerosols, has positively impacted on our performance in a very short time.

“We are thrilled – the Vale is now in the top third of best performing councils once again. By continuing to working together we can only further improve. We constantly strive to work towards the government’s Towards Zero Waste strategy, reviewing our strategy regularly in order to meet the ambitious 70% target in future years.”

There was further good news when a Welsh Government report on end destinations for recycling revealed the Vale of Glamorgan Council as having the lowest average transportation mileage for its recycling of any council in Wales.

Waste in the Vale of Glamorgan travels just nine miles on average, with most of the recycling being taken to sites in Cardiff and Cowbridge.

However, the point of transfer for the Vale of Glamorgan's recyclate is not in all cases its end destination, as Biffa's Cardiff Materials Recycling Facility is effectively a transfer station.

Operational manager for waste management and cleansing Clifford Parish said: “Proximity to the collection area is a factor in any selection process and we recognise that we are very fortunate at the current time to benefit from recycling facilities either in or just outside our geographic area.

“This does assist in reducing the environmental impact of us undertaking our waste management services.”

Both the Vale’s kitchen waste and garden waste are recycled locally at Llwynhelig Farm, Cowbridge Compost, where Vale residents are welcome to collect a free soil enhancer.

Contractors Biffa sort the Vale’s co-mingled recycling at their materials recycling facility in Cardiff. Paper, glass and cans are bundled separately before being transported.

For more information on recycling in the Vale visit the council’s website at www.valeofglmaorgan.gov.uk/recycle, email visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk  or phone 01446 700111.