Waste Management

Waste management is one of the most visible day to day community services as household refuse bins are emptied and recyclable materials are collected from the kerbside and from collection points. As pressure mounts to take steps to protect the environment and in particular reduce waste’s impact on climate change councils are taking action to minimise waste. Councils are responsible for:-

• waste management strategy and policy
• recycling and composting operations
• civic amenity sites/household recycling centres
• bring sites
• street cleansing
• refuse, recycling and food waste collections (household and trade)
• fly tipping
• dog fouling
• waste awareness and education

Welsh householders put around 1.8m tonnes out for collection each year. In 2006-07 27.6% of this was recycled. But this means that 1.2m tonnes are still currently sent to landfill; this has to be reduced. The European Landfill Directive sets limits to how much waste can be sent to landfill. The Assembly have responsibility for implementing this directive and have set targets for each local authority up to 2020. If a Council fails it’s allowance it is liable to a fine of £200 per tonne for every tonne over its allowance.

The national strategy, Wise About Waste is currently being reviewed and the Assembly has initiated discussions with local government about future and higher recycling and food waste targets and energy from waste targets. Welsh local government has identified the following challenges:

• need to take steps to prevent waste
• significantly increase recycling and composting rates
• examine the issues of alternate collections and charging for residual waste collections
• develop a role for energy from waste as part of the solution
• address the affordability gap

Most councils are engaged in collaborative working on waste management, supporting and implementing the Making the Connections agenda. There is widespread recognition that Wales does not need 22 different waste facilities in Wales and sustainability and affordability issues can be tackled by joint working.

Key facts

• 1.4 million tonnes of municipal waste is deposited in landfill sites in Wales each year
• 27.6% of municipal waste in Wales was recycled in 2006/07
• by 2009/10 40% of municipal waste has to be recycled/composted with a minimum 5% being recycled
• potential for higher targets of 52% in 2012 and 70% in 2025 are being discussed

Further information

Wise about Waste – National Waste Strategy (Welsh Assembly Government)

Let Government Commence (WLGA)
The 6Rs in Waste Management (WLGA Evidence to the Assembly)

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