Monmouthshire residents boast the highest recycling rate in Wales, hitting targets ten years ahead of schedule.

Officials at Monmouthshire County Council have lauded the area’s record, after reaching the Welsh Government’s 2025 recycling target with a decade to spare.

Recycling for April to June this year hit a Wales-high 70 percent, embedding the county in the top three authorities across Wales.

The achievement is largely down to residents’ commitment and innovative practices that help cut waste.

All household waste from the area is turned into energy at a specialist plant in Cardiff, which uses the ash in road building.

The heat from the incinerator then powers steam turbines, whilst feeding electricity into 50,000 homes via the National Grid.

Council bosses expect the high of 70 percent waste recycled will dip slightly towards winter, as garden waste levels fall in the colder months, but reminded residents to continue their high standards.

 

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for recycling said, “I’m absolutely delighted that we have reached a magnificent seventy pre cent recycling rate.

“The main reason for this lies with our residents who play a massive part in ensuring that our record is among the best in Wales. 

“Needless to say, we will not rest on our laurels and we will look at ways to increase recycling further still.”