Demand jumps for recycling bags

Powys Council recycled 41% of its waste in 2006-07

Powys has seen a big surge in demand for recycling bags, with the council handing out 500,000 in two months.

It issued the sacks during November and December last year, compared to 300,000 in the same period in 2006.

Officials said research showed residents strongly supported recycling, but the demand had surprised them.

Powys Council said there were a combination of reasons for the surge, and Friends of the Earth said there was greater awareness of recycling.

A council spokesman said: "We have been working hard to promote recycling and we've rolled out our kerbside recycling from urban to more rural areas so we are starting from a stronger position.

'Shortages'

"Our research also shows that people strongly support recycling and they think it's important."

He said the public's reaction to recycling had been "tremendous", and confessed that the demand for recycling sacks had been so great that "we have struggled to keep up".

The spokesman also explained that some residents may have experienced shortages of sacks in some areas, but more were due from the suppliers on Monday.

Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth, said: "This is really great news.

"Powys has always done well when its come to recycling, but we need to start doing well quite frankly because we have to reach higher targets.

"The Welsh Assembly Government wants all councils to recycle 70% of their municipal waste by 2024.

"There is greater awareness about recycling now and it's one way in which people can do something immediately to help the environment."

In 2006/07, Powys recycled 41% of its municipal waste, second only in Wales to Ceredigion Council, which recycled 43%.