The recycling rate in Wales has increased from under 5% to 64% over the last 20 years, making the country third best in the world.
This recycling figure for 2016/17 showed the average total reuse, recycling and composting rate across Wales’ local authorities was 64%, 59% higher than the rate in 1996/99.
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “Wales leads the way in the UK when it comes to recycling, with these latest figures confirming we are exceeding our ambitious 58% target. It is also encouraging to see Ceredigion has already met our 2025 target of 70%.”
Other figures have shown the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste Welsh local authorities are diverting to landfill, has declined by 89% since 2005/06.
Authorities have also sent 90,827 tonnes of biodegradable waste to landfill in 2016/17, which is 77% less than the legal allowance of 390,000 tonnes.
The Cabinet Secretary added: “It is also great to see the amount of waste we are generating continues to fall year on year. This achievement is thanks to local authorities and householders’ commitment to recycling. Together, we can continue to make improvements.”
