Newport is recycling more than ever before, with provisional figures for the financial year 2024-25 showing that the city's recycling rate was 71.45 per cent.
This is the highest recycling figure ever recorded in Newport and has meant that the city has comfortably exceeded a target of 70 per cent set by Welsh Government.
It also positions Newport as one of the best performing cities in Wales and the UK for recycling.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve surpassed our recycling target,” said Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling.
“In 2014-15 our recycling rate was just 52 per cent, so to be at over 71 per cent today is a significant achievement.
“We’ve worked hard to make recycling the easy option when it comes to getting rid of waste, and these figures show that more and more residents are taking that option.
“Every item recycled is a step closer to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for our city.
“Without our residents and our businesses doing their bit with such commitment, we would not have smashed our goals, so I’d like to say a massive thank you to them for recycling everything they possibly can.
“Their efforts, be it recycling your household waste, donating items for reuse, or simply spreading the word about the importance of recycling, are making a real, valuable difference.
“Let us celebrate this achievement and look forward to Newport continuing to lead the way in recycling in both Wales and across the UK.”
Greater awareness about recycling among residents helped lead to this increase, the council said.
It added that other factors which have helped include changes to household waste collections which encourage more recycling, and changes in the law which mean businesses must have recycling collections in place, and bins to separate out waste streams.
The council said it and its recycling partner Wastesavers will continue to work together to increase Newport’s recycling rate even further.
Initiatives to increase recycling from flats in the city centre are currently being trialled, with initial results looking positive, the council said.
Other initiatives include increasing awareness raising and direct outreach with residents and businesses, and greater promotion of the reuse and repurposing of items.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Newport achieve its highest-ever recycling rate of over 71 per cent,” said Penny Goodwin, chief executive of Wastesavers.
“This milestone is a testament to the commitment of the residents of Newport and to every team member who makes our collections possible.
“It’s a real community achievement and Wastesavers is honoured to be a part of it.”
