Recycling at risk, says AM
Russell George highlighted grave concerns to the Senedd regarding Powys County Council's proposals to close a further Recycling Centre in either Welshpool or Newtown.
He also called for the Welsh Government to reduce the barriers to recycling – arguing that reducing the frequency of residential and commercial waste collections could result in an increase in environmental crime such as fly tipping.
In Powys, local firms have been told that their commercial recycling collection is coming to an end, leaving many Montgomeryshire businesses in limbo.
Mr George has also called on the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Environment to look at changing outdated legislation to ensure that Councils provide adequate Recycling Centres.
Mr George added: “The overall picture for Welsh recycling is a positive one and the Welsh Government’s performance on recycling is largely a record which we in Wales can be proud of.
“However, if we are to meet the Welsh Government’s 70% target by 2025, it is essential that we keep up the momentum by providing innovative solutions to increase recycling rates while reducing the barriers to recycling and the potential for environmental crime.
“I am therefore concerned that local authorities such as Powys are curtailing both residential and commercial waste collections, largely as cost cutting exercises, without providing the facilities to enable residents and businesses to increase their rates of recycling.
“Businesses in rural areas of North Powys are having their commercial recycling collection stopped at the end of this week and unbelievably, Powys County Council have said that unfortunately the only option is for the traders affected to either put all recyclable waste into the residual bin going to landfill, or take it to a household waste recycling centre. Surely, this response is unacceptable in a climate where we ought to be encouraging better recycling practices?”
In an unusual step, Mr George showed a short film in the Assembly chamber of local areas affected.
Mr George is encouraging people to answer a short online survey which can be found at https://www.russellgeorge.com/recycling-survey.
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