Soft plastics recycling system rolled out county-wide
The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s soft plastics recycling system is being rolled out county-wide after a successful trial in Penarth, Dinas Powys, Sully and surrounding areas.
Last year, the Vale was selected to trial this new service because of its excellent recycling record.
Thanks to the dedicated way in which residents have embraced recycling, the Vale of Glamorgan Council is among the best performing Local Authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) in this area.
Following another positive response to the soft plastics pilot, the system will be extended to all parts of the Vale where kerbside collections take place from Monday, April 13.
During the trial, around 100 tonnes of soft plastics waste was collected.
This is material such as bags and wrapping that would otherwise have been placed in black bags and not recycled.
Colin Smith, Head of Neighbourhood Services, said: “The Vale is renowned as a place that cares about the planet, where people do all they can to support new ways of recycling. That is why WRAP Cymru decided we should be one of the first areas in Wales to pilot this recycling method.
“Once again, our residents have stepped up to embrace a new service, making the trial a huge success.
“That means this system can be expanded to cover the entire Vale.
“I’d like to thank citizens of Penarth, Dinas Powys and Sully for their fantastic response as we continue to work together towards Project Zero, our commitment to become a carbon neutral Local Authority by 2030 and a carbon neutral country by 2050.
“I’m sure people living in other areas of the Vale will show the same backing and maintain our status as one of the industry leaders in the field of recycling.”
WRAP Cymru monitored participation levels and the impact on collections and waste transfers to assess the trial’s success.
The Vale introduced a source-separated recycling system in 2019, an arrangement that involves residents sorting their waste by material type, rather than putting it all in one bag.
Since then, other services that recycle textiles and small appliances have also been implemented.
Residents should already have received blue sacks for soft plastic waste, with more available at libraries and the Council’s Civic Offices.
Information about the items that can be placed within it is contained in an accompanying leaflet and has been published on the Council's website.
Further details about arrangements for apartment buildings that do not have kerbside collections will follow once finalised.