Wales now recycling more than sending to landfill

According to a report released today, between April 2011 and March 2012 Wales’s local authorities reused or recycled almost 800,000 tonnes of waste, while the amount sent to landfill fell to around 700,000 tonnes.

Welsh Minister for Natural Resources Alun Davies said: “There has been a great deal of discussion across the UK about where our recycling is sent, with many people believing that their carefully sorted recycling ends up in landfill. Today’s report shows that this is not the case in Wales.

“Recycling not only benefits the environment but also supports the economy through the creation of jobs in the waste and resource management industry.

“This is why the collection of high quality recyclate is central to our plans as it can be reprocessed here in Wales – retaining our resources, creating local employment and stimulating Welsh markets.”

Davies added: “I hope the report, which shows that our waste is being used as a valuable resource that can be recycled or re-manufactured here in Wales, encourages people to continue recycling and even start recycling more materials more often.”

Conor McGlone