The Viridor UK Recycling Index 2016 study has shown that Cardiff is the most active city for recycling in the UK – higher than London, Manchester, Glasgow and the South West.
The study, conducted by Edelman Intelligence, explored current attitudes to recycling, perceived barriers to the UK public and the factors that the UK public believe they can play a role in increase the amount of waste they recycle.
The findings support recycling statistics from this Christmas, where the largest amount of recycling was put out for collection in Cardiff compared to the two previous years.
3195 tonnes of recycled waste was collected over this festive period, compared with 2564 tonnes in 2014 and 3034 tonnes in 2015. The increase this year is linked to the recent move by the Authority to restrict the amount of general waste produced by providing smaller bins, or restricting the number of bags that can be put out for collection to encourage residents across the city to recycle.
The City Council’s recycling rate is currently 58.1% with a target of reaching 64% by 2019/20.
Councillor Bob Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:
“I would like to thank everyone for their continued efforts to recycle as much of their waste as possible. These figures are very encouraging, and I hope all residents continue to recycle and compost as much of their waste as possible in the New Year.
“We have invested significantly in the infrastructure to increase recycling and we are continuing to do so. The new free bulky household recycling service was launched at the end of last year and plans are underway to provide a new reuse centre, so we can continue in our efforts to increase the city’s recycling rate.
“The recent study by Edelman Intelligence, on behalf of Viridor, explored a range of subjects linked to recycling and what the public in the UK think about the services provided. Cardiff faired very well with all the results and we are reviewing the data to see if we can learn even more to further improve the services provided.
“As well as the recyclable materials which are put out in green bags, we are keen to recycle other household items. Electrical items should be brought any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres, shredded paper should be put in the green bin and clothes put out through our new free bulky collection service.
“In 2017 we will have a new processing facility for food waste, so we can process this waste in Cardiff and produce green energy. A new facility will also be provided for garden waste at Lamby Way Depot as well as a significant investment in the Household Waste Recycling Centre at this site.”
According to a press release issued by Cardiff Council, the new food waste plant in Cardiff is a collaboration between the City Council and the Vale of Glamorgan and is an Anaerobic Digestion facility. The technology breaks down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. This produces a bio-gas which can burned to create electricity or can be processed into renewable natural gas or transportation fuels.
The new facility to process green garden waste uses a process called Windrow Composting. This process is very similar to a compost heap, but is processed on an industrial scale.
To read the press release, visit the website
For more information on Viridor, click here
For more information on Cardiff Council’s recycling and waste services click here