Bridgend recycles – it’s what we do

Thanks to the recycling efforts of local residents, Bridgend County Borough is well on track to surpass the Welsh Government’s ambitious new recycling target that all councils need to achieve.

By April 2020, all Welsh local authorities need to hit at least a 64 per cent recycling rate, or face heavy fines as the Welsh Government strives to make Wales the top recycling nation in the world.

Published this week, Bridgend County Borough’s latest recycling rate is 69.4 per cent which places the local authority in second place in the Welsh recycling table, just behind the Isle of Anglesey (69.9 per cent).

The latest figure, which covers the 2018-19 period, means that Bridgend County Borough’s recycling rate has risen by 0.8 per cent since 2017-18.

Recycling has become second nature in Wales, and it’s been quite a journey over the last two decades. Back in 2000, when the country-wide recycling rate stood at just six percent, the Welsh Government set a target of 15 per cent by 2004. Those targets have steadily risen since as councils and residents across the country have accepted the challenge to do their bit for the environment.

Each time the Welsh Government raised the bar, our residents have risen to the challenge. It’s not easy to get used to new recycling systems, learning what you can and can’t recycle, but local residents have consistently adapted their habits to do their bit for the environment.

We introduced our current recycling arrangements in 2017 with the Welsh Government’s new recycling targets in mind and are very pleased with the results. Recycling has become the norm in Bridgend County Borough. It’s what we do, and I’d like to thank all local residents for their commitment to recycling.

Councillor Hywel Williams, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Deputy Leader

A timeline of recycling in Bridgend County Borough…

2004 = Bridgend County Borough’s recycling rate is hitting the national target of 15%.

2005 = New household recycling scheme introduced with two black boxes. One is for paper, and the other for recycling glass and cardboard.

2006 = Bridgend County Borough’s recycling rate rises to 26%.

2010 = In addition to their two black boxes, householders are given a reusable blue sack for recycling plastics and cans, and a brown food waste caddy. Refuse collections become fortnightly.

2011 = Bridgend County Borough’s recycling rate soars to 48%.

2013 = A fortnightly garden waste recycling service starts. All collected green waste is turned into fertiliser.

2016 = Bridgend County Borough’s recycling rate reaches 59%.

2017 = A new two bin bag rule, changes to recycling containers and a new fortnightly collection for nappies are all introduced.

2019 = Recycling rate has soared to 69.4% which is already above the Welsh Government target of 64% by 2020.

2025 = The Welsh Government’s recycling target will rise again to 70%.