Wrexham Council says “Thanks for Recycling”

Wrexham Council has reported that its recycling rates for the second quarter of the year stands at just over 60% and are on course to meet their 58% target for 2015/16.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Public Protection, said: “Since 2002 residents and the council have worked together to improve our recycling rates and we have never missed a target. I would like to thank all residents who have embraced recycling and helped us make such a difference to recycling rates in Wrexham.”

In 2002 Wrexham Council piloted its Recycle with Michael recycling scheme to 6,000 of its households. At that time recycling rates for the borough was 3%.

The pilot saw the introduction of a green bin for garden waste and bags into which householders could put their paper, plastic bottles and cans. The pilot proved successful and was rolled out to the rest of the county borough and a green box was introduced for cans, plastic bottles and glass following feedback from those in the pilot areas.

Wrexham Council also work in partnership with FCC Environment, formerly Waste Recycling Group and as a result of that partnership a new Household Waste Recycling Centre was opened in the borough in Bryn Lane on Wrexham’s Industrial Estate, Brymbo and Plas Madoc sites were also refurbished. All have facilities for recycling including wood and rubble.

In 2009 FCC Environment opened its Wrexham Recycling Park on the industrial estate which began composting garden waste and recycled all household recyclables.

Since that time food waste has been introduced with households using either a food waste caddy or by popping food waste into the green bin.

Plans for the future include the opening of a Mechanical Biological Treatment Plant in 2015.

The plant will receive all residual household waste (black or blue bin) and it will be sorted to take out any recyclables.

The facility should see recycling rates over 60% and will help achieve the next big target of 70% by 2024/25.