Carmarthenshire exceeds waste target
New figures show Carmarthenshire has exceeded its target on the amount of biodegradable waste – such as paper, cardboard and kitchen scraps - that can be sent to landfill.
During 2009/10 Carmarthenshire sent 23,536 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) to landfill – that’s 36 per cent under its allowance of 36,844 tonnes.
The figures have been revealed in a report on the Landfill Allowances Scheme for Wales, published by the Environment Agency Wales.
The Landfill Allowances Scheme (LAS) limits the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that councils are allowed to send to landfill. It aims to encourage the reduction, recycling, composting and treatment of this type of waste.
Reducing the amount of waste going to landfill also helps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, methane produced by the breakdown of BMW in a landfill can be up to 25 times worse than carbon dioxide.
Carmarthenshire was one of eight local authorities in Wales to be singled out for using the least amount of its allowances (no more than 70 per cent).
The council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said the figures show the success of the green bin/blue bag recycling scheme which was launched in February 2008 and is now serving 75,000 households across the county.
He said: “It is important that we reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill by recycling and composting more of our waste.
“The green bin/blue bag scheme has been extremely successful and I would like to thank residents’ for their co-operation in separating their waste.
“However, the council recognises that a lot more work needs to be done if we are to achieve future targets.
“We all have a significant role to play, by thinking carefully about our shopping habits and about how we can reduce our waste in general.”
The Landfill Allowances Scheme was launched in 2005 and all 22 local authorities in Wales have achieved their 2009/10 allowances.
Chair of the council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee Councillor Jim Jones welcomed the figures for Carmarthenshire.
He said: “It is vital we reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill, not only is it the least sustainable method of managing our waste but failure to meet future targets could result in financial penalties running into millions of pounds.
“Reducing the amount of rubbish that goes into landfill also helps in the battle against climate change. By working together we can make a real difference and improve our environment for future generations.”
Carmarthenshire County Council also achieved the 40 per cent target for recycling/composting for 2009/10.
During 2009/10 Carmarthenshire sent 23,536 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) to landfill – that’s 36 per cent under its allowance of 36,844 tonnes.
The figures have been revealed in a report on the Landfill Allowances Scheme for Wales, published by the Environment Agency Wales.
The Landfill Allowances Scheme (LAS) limits the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that councils are allowed to send to landfill. It aims to encourage the reduction, recycling, composting and treatment of this type of waste.
Reducing the amount of waste going to landfill also helps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, methane produced by the breakdown of BMW in a landfill can be up to 25 times worse than carbon dioxide.
Carmarthenshire was one of eight local authorities in Wales to be singled out for using the least amount of its allowances (no more than 70 per cent).
The council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said the figures show the success of the green bin/blue bag recycling scheme which was launched in February 2008 and is now serving 75,000 households across the county.
He said: “It is important that we reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill by recycling and composting more of our waste.
“The green bin/blue bag scheme has been extremely successful and I would like to thank residents’ for their co-operation in separating their waste.
“However, the council recognises that a lot more work needs to be done if we are to achieve future targets.
“We all have a significant role to play, by thinking carefully about our shopping habits and about how we can reduce our waste in general.”
The Landfill Allowances Scheme was launched in 2005 and all 22 local authorities in Wales have achieved their 2009/10 allowances.
Chair of the council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee Councillor Jim Jones welcomed the figures for Carmarthenshire.
He said: “It is vital we reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill, not only is it the least sustainable method of managing our waste but failure to meet future targets could result in financial penalties running into millions of pounds.
“Reducing the amount of rubbish that goes into landfill also helps in the battle against climate change. By working together we can make a real difference and improve our environment for future generations.”
Carmarthenshire County Council also achieved the 40 per cent target for recycling/composting for 2009/10.
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