Reuse and repair projects in the Rhondda to help Wales’ bid for world’s number one recycler
Prosiectau ail-ddefnyddio ac atgyweirio yn Sir Benfro a Sir Gâr yn helpu Cymru i ddod yn ailgylchwr orau’r byd
Re-use and repair projects in the Rhondda are aiding a Welsh Government bid to make Wales a world leader in the Circular Economy.
The Circular Economy means resources and items are kept in use for as long as possible and waste is avoided through the use of recycled materials to make new products, or fixing broken goods instead of buying new.
Over the last year, Welsh Government has already rapidly increased funding for circular economy projects from £6.5m to £43 million. This has supported 180 initiatives in every part of Wales, bringing together communities to fix their broken goods, redistributed supermarket food that would have otherwise ended up in the bin, or recycled plastic pots into furniture for homes.
Wales is already ranked the third best country for recycling in the world – the new strategy aims to make Wales world number one.
A new Welsh Government strategy ‘Beyond Recycling’ published today, sets out how we can build on Wales’ success as a recycling nation in our response to the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate emergency.
This includes a commitment to change public sector procurement, worth £6.7bn per year in Wales, with low-carbon, resource-efficient businesses to be given priority in tenders that use money from the public purse.
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said:
“By helping us to manage our resources, the steps set out in ‘Beyond Recycling’ will help us to drive our green recovery to the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the impact of the climate emergency – as well as playing a vital and necessary part in our route to becoming a net-zero carbon nation by 2050.
“But as well as helping us to face those challenges, the strategy also sets out how this is a fantastic opportunity for Wales.
“Our Circular Economy can be world-leading, and help businesses not just to improve resource use at home, but also to compete internationally.
“There is already fantastic work taking place all over Wales in which it is playing a key role in our green recovery from the pandemic. We have a burgeoning green business sector helping to boost our economic resilience, and social enterprises and charities supporting communities to keep items in use as long as possible, and support households facing tight budgets.
“The global economy is looking at the potential of the Circular Economy, but here in Wales we are in a prime position to lead. I’m delighted that projects in the Rhondda are helping us in our mission.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Notes to editor
Toogoodtowaste, Rhondda Cynon Taff
Having served surrounding communities for more than 25 years, Toogoodtowaste provides support for people in Rhondda Cynon Taff by collecting unwanted household goods, and re-selling them at affordable prices at its showrooms in Ynyshir, Aberdare and Treorchy. This has provided a lifeline for customers who have had their homes devastated by floods or have faced homelessness.
Thanks to recent Circular Economy funding, the charity will be able to add a number of shipping containers to its drop-in centre and showroom in Treorchy, increasing the amount of recycling the site can take on – meaning residents won’t have to travel as far when looking to donate unwanted items.
Shaun England, Chief Executive Officer at toogoodtowaste, said: “If someone lives in Treorchy and is looking to recycle something, they either have to travel two or three miles into the valley, or to the community recycling centre in Pen Dinas.
“That might be a problem for people who are unable to drive or don’t have access to a car.
“We’re very grateful for this funding, as an increase to shipping containers at our Treorchy site will allow more people to make donations of unwanted and recyclable or re-usable items on foot.”
Last year saw toogoodtowaste collect more than 150,000 items, with 80% of items collected being re-used and 20% recycled.
As well as re-selling unwanted household items at its showrooms, toogoodtowaste also provides free items for those in need.
During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, toogoodtowaste worked alongside Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to provide useful goods to people placed in temporary accommodation due to homelessness.
Shaun said: “We’ve worked with the local authority to support homeless people who were placed in temporary accommodation during the pandemic.
“We’ve helped to provide anything from washing machines to mugs. There are those things that many of us might take for granted, such as a cup to drink from – some people don’t have anything.
The charity also supported residents in the area whose homes were hit by flooding early in 2020.
Shaun England, CEO at TGTW, is happy to speak to media and may be contacted on 07545 140 540.
Shaun can also provide the details of other volunteers at the charity who would be available to speak to the media.
Other projects supported by the Circular Economy Fund in the area include:
- Improvements to re-use shops at recycling centres at Llantrisant and Treherbert (RCTCBC)
- A hybrid re-use shop and repair café, Aberdare (RCTCBC)
The strategy is focussed around six core themes of activity.
- Driving innovation in materials use
- Upscaling prevention and re-use
- Building on our recycling record
- Investing in infrastructure
- Enabling community and business action
- Aligning Government levers
We have also set out eight ambitious headline actions.
- We will support businesses in Wales to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming more resource efficient.
- We will provide the tools to enable community action.
- We will phase out unnecessary single-use items, especially plastic.
- We will eradicate avoidable food waste.
- We will procure on a basis which prioritises goods and products which are made from remanufactured, refurbished and recycled materials or come from low carbon and sustainable materials like wood.
- We will strive to achieve the highest rates of recycling in the world.
- We will reduce the environmental impact of the waste collection from our homes and businesses.
- We will take full responsibility for our waste.