Wrexham and Conwy lead the way for recycling in North Wales as rates hit record levels

Residents in Wrexham and Conwy are leading the way for recycling in North Wales, according to new figures released today.

Annual statistics for 2019/20 show Wrexham has achieved the future Welsh Government target of recycling 70% of the waste it collects five years ahead of schedule, whilst Conwy follows shortly behind on 69%.

Anglesey is not far off the pace in the league table of the region’s authorities at 68%, with Flintshire (66%) and Denbighshire (65%) pulling up the rear.

All six councils in the area topped the current goal of 64% and saved £28m in the process.

In what was a record year for Wales as a whole, the figures show 1.51 million tonnes of material was generated across the country during the financial year.

And nearly a million tonnes of that amount was recycled, re-used or composted, with the government hailing a £1 billion investment in household recycling since devolution began.

Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths said:

For Wales as a whole to exceed the target in the first year is testament to the considerable effort everyone has put in.

We could not have achieved a record year for recycling in Wales without the hard work of our local authorities and households across Wales and I’d like to particularly congratulate those authorities who have exceeded the next target five years early.

Wales is already a recycling nation and we are rightly proud of our achievements.

These figures not only show that we are on track in meeting our goal of zero waste by 2050, but also show the progress being made towards a circular, low carbon economy.

The full data release can be accessed on the Welsh Government website.