'Recycling campaign must not go to waste' - Bates

12.51.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, urges the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government to look to the shining example set by the Lib Dem led councils in Wales as a UK-wide campaign to encourage people to recycle more of their household waste gets underway.

National Recycling Week is being held on 2nd - 8th June. This is the fifth year it has been held. It is run by Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a national organisation set up to help people produce less waste and advise on how best to deal with rubbish in an environmentally friendly way.

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates said, "In Powys over 19% of waste produced is recycled and nearly 16% composted. This means that over 35% of all waste is being diverted away from landfill.

"I am continually impressed by the work of local initiatives such as the Powys Zero Waste scheme which brings together community recycling bodies throughout Powys, as well as excellent projects such as Cwm Harry Land Trust which have brought Newtown onto the Welsh recycling stage and engaged many local residents in its Newtown Food Recycling Project.

"However there is still a long way to go before we are dealing with our waste in a way that does not leave a lasting problem for generations to come. The Liberal Democrats are encouraging as many residents as possible to make small changes in their lifestyles, which will make large strides to ensuring we do not ruin our environment."

Latest figures show recycling rates across Wales stand at around 28% - on course for the 2010 target but in 2009/10 the first European target comes into play under the EU Landfill Directive. The Labour-Plaid Government has discussed with local authorities a target of 70% recycling and composting by 2025.

"This is ambitious and will need strong policies and a firm plan of action if it is to be reached" adds Mick.

"I hope that the Labour-Plaid Government will look to our Liberal Democrat led councils as well as excellent local initiatives for good examples of how to develop a recycling strategy for the future. In Wrexham for example recycling has gone up from 12% to 43% and in Cardiff kerbside recycling is now available to everyone, free-of -charge.

"We waste a huge amount of food each year - on average we throw away 112kg of food each, most of which is still usable. People can avoid this waste by doing simple things such as producing a shopping list of what food is needed, rather than wandering around the supermarket buying what takes your fancy!

"Last year in the UK, it was estimated that we spent £8 billion on food that was still fit to be used when it was thrown away. Being green can save money! But if you do produce food waste, why not get a compost bin if you have a garden?

"People should also try to buy food and other goods which have less packaging. And full use should be made of recycling facilities to dispose of waste. It is better that waste is turned back into something that is useful rather than dumped in the ground.

"There is a limit to how much rubbish we can throw into holes in the ground. There comes a point when we have to say that we cannot go on getting rid of waste in this way.

"I am therefore delighted that National Recycling Week is underway. I hope it will be a great success and will help residents of Montgomeryshire to cut waste and live greener lifestyles."