Council welcomes legal ruling on recycling

LEADING councillors in Carmarthenshire have welcomed the outcome of a Judicial Review which allows local authorities to run recycling services as they see fit.

The decision follows a claim lodged by the Campaign for Real Recycling that a clause in the European Waste Framework Directive meant separate recycling bins should be used by every household in the UK from January 2015.

However, Mr Justice Hickinbottom ruled the obligation to establish the separate collection of paper, metal, plastic and glass from 2015 applies only where it is technically, environmentally and economically practicable to do so

Council Leader Kevin Madge said: “We are committed to recycling here in Carmarthenshire and are working very hard to increase our recycling rate year on year.

“Our recycling scheme is very easy to understand and residents are happy with it; I am delighted that we can continue to collect our waste our way.”

The green bin and blue bag scheme was launched in February 2008 and has been a big success. Figures show that more than half the rubbish in Carmarthenshire is now being recycled and the council is confident of meeting the first statutory target of 52%, set by Welsh Government, by April this year.

Executive Board Member for Street Scene Cllr Colin Evans said the ruling was excellent news for the county.

“If the decision had gone the other way, the consequences would have been very serious indeed for us here in Carmarthenshire,” he said. “Thankfully that is not the case and we can continue to provide the best possible service for our residents.

“We are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve and make recycling as easy as possible for householders.”