Monmouthshire is aiming for a top three spot in this year's Welsh Recycling table following the introduction last year of a limit on the amount of general waste collected by the council. Last June the council introduced a restriction on the number of rubbish bags a resident could put out for collection in order to further encourage people to recycle as much as possible and thereby reduce its £3 million landfill bill. This led to a huge rise in the county's recycling rate to 62 per cent, from an already high 56 per cent. The amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill has decreased by nearly 3,000 tonnes, saving the council over £300,000 in avoided landfill charges. Together with the introduction of a charge to have garden waste collected the overall budget for waste disposal has reduced by over £350,000. The council will now build on the success of the new arrangements. Residents will receive a new supply of grey waste bags (this year in the form of a single roll containing a year's supply) during May and June. Monmouthshire's Waste Strategy Manager Rachel Jowitt said, "Some residents feared such a drastic change would not work and we have worked hard to engage and persuade people. As a result we have seen a fantastic response from the public.   "We all need to recognise that it's our waste and we need to deal with it – and most of our residents have embraced this ideal, with many now only presenting half their allowance for collection every fortnight.  "This year we are delivering to all householders throughout May and June one roll of 52 grey waste bags, together with a supporting leaflet to remind people how our recycling services work. "All I ask is that they do the same as last year and help make Monmouthshire one of the best places for recycling in Wales".   Monmouthshire's Cabinet Member for the Environment Bryan Jones said, "Once again, I want to say a massive thank you to all our residents who have made this incredible transformation in the way in which we deal with our waste possible. "Sending recyclable material to landfill not only harms the environment but is also a very expensive way of disposing of waste. "At a time when all local authorities are having to make financial savings due to the reduction in central government funding, we see this success as a real positive – by reducing our waste costs we can help reduce the pressure on other vital services such as schools."