Vale to trial soft plastic recycling system
The Vale of Glamorgan has been selected to trial a new soft plastic recycling system after its recent excellent performance in this area.
Thanks to the dedicated way in which residents have embraced similar initiatives, this county has helped Wales become one of the best recyclers across the globe.
Over 70 per cent of material collected in the Vale was recycled during 2023/24, meaning it is a
mong the top performing Welsh Local Authority areas.
Such commitment has led the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Cymru pilot an innovative method for recycling soft plastics here.
That will see soft plastics such as bags and wrapping collected instead of being placed in black bags and not recycled.
This move follows the successful introduction of a source-separated system to the Vale since 2019, an arrangement that involves residents sorting their waste by material type, rather than putting it all in one bag.
Cllr Mark Wilson, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Building Services, said: “The Vale is renowned as a place that cares about the planet, where people do all, they can to support new ways of recycling. That is why WRAP Cymru has decided we should be one of the first areas in Wales to trial this new recycling method.
“Here, the Council and citizens recognise the importance of protecting the natural environment for future generations as we work together towards Project Zero. That is our commitment to be a carbon neutral Local Authority by 2030 and a carbon neutral county by 2050.
“I would ask residents to invest in this new approach, just as they have the source-separated system over the last six years, so we can continue reducing our waste and safeguard the beautiful natural environment that we call home.”
From Monday April 21, residents living in Penarth, Dinas Powys, Sully and some surrounding areas will be able to recycle soft plastic and wrappings at the kerbside.
The trial, which will monitor participation levels along with the impact on collections and waste transfers and will run until early 2026.
A decision will then be made on whether it can continue in the Vale and potentially be rolled out more widely.
Residents will shortly receive blue plastic sacks in which to place soft plastics for recycling, along with a leaflet explaining the types of materials that will be accepted at the kerbside.
The items collected as part of the trial will be recycled into products such as bags for life and bin bags, reducing the reliance on single-use plastics. This will also increase the amount of household waste than can be recycled.
Almost 10 per cent of material found in black bags is made up of soft plastics and can be recycled using this new system.
Around 16,000 homes, including a mix of housing types will be involved in the pilot project, with feedback gathered as it progresses.
More information about the trial can be found here.