MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council’s recycling service has achieved the Welsh recycling target for 2025 – ten years ahead of schedule. 

Recycling for the first quarter of 2016 (April to June) was just over 70 per cent.

The county is consistently in the top three authorities for recycling rates in Wales.

While the recycling figure of 70 per cent for April to June is a huge achievement, it is unlikely that the annual recycling percentage will remain this high because collection of compos­table garden waste reduces during the winter. 

Residents are reminded to ensure that black bags only contain items that are unable to be recycled.

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for recycling, said: “I’m ab-

solutely delighted that we have reached a magnificent 70 per cent recycling rate and the main reason for this lies with our residents who play a massive part in ensuring that our record is among the best in Wales. Needless to say, we will not rest on our laurels and we will look at ways to increase recycling further still.”