Wales has seen positive increases in recycling and a reduction in waste sent to landfill according to figures just released. MRW reports that the Local Government Data Unit's local authority performance 2006-07 bulletin shows that local authorities (LA) recycled 18% of waste collected compared to 15% in 2005-06. It also said that the proportion of waste sent to landfill had improved by 2%, falling to 69%, and ranged from 49% to 82% across the country.

The bulletin also found that waste collected by LAs had fallen from 1.9 million tonnes in 2005-06 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2006-07.

Figures also showed that the percentage of households covered by a kerbside collection service for recyclables had continued to increase, rising from 78% in 2005-06 to 87% in 2006-07. This ranged from 46% in Conwy to 100% in Swansea, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. Of the 1.8 million tonnes of waste collected, 17.9% of municipal waste collected was either recycled or reused. This compares to 14.7% in 2005-06. In 2006-07 the percentage of waste recycled ranged from 12% in Cardiff to 37% in Ceredigion.

A further 9.7% of waste was composted in 2006-07 compared to 8.5% in 2005-06. This ranged from 4% in Blaenau Gwent to 20% in Powys. In the same period the percentage of waste used to recover heat and power also increased, from 0.6% to 0.9%. Of the 79 thousand tonnes of incinerator residues, construction and demolition wastes, abandoned vehicles and beach cleansing wastes collected in 2006-07, 82% was recycled compared to 75% in 2005-06.

Consequently, the percentage of municipal waste sent to landfill fell from 71.3% to 68.6% in 2006-07. This ranged from 82% in Cardiff to 49% in Bridgend.

Local government minister Brian Gibbons said: "We rightly expect the services that local authorities provide to be delivered to a high standard, and to improve where possible. I am very pleased that this bulletin demonstrates that local government is, on the whole, meeting this expectation. For example, the bulletin shows that local authorities are continuing to send less rubbish to landfill sites and are recycling more."