WHEN it comes to recycling Anglesey has got it in the bag.

Recycling efforts on the island have been praised by council officials and government minister Hannah Blythyn, who is set to visit the Anglesey next week.

The Welsh Government set local authorities statutory recycling targets – including a need to recycle 70% of their waste by 2024-25.

The latest recycling performance data will be published later this year – and Anglesey’s principal waste management officer Elin Owen, is confident of "very good news."

Mr Williams said: “We’re seen as a high performer by Welsh Government having already reached a 70% recycling rate much earlier than the 2025 target set for all 22 local authorities in Wales.”

“We’ll have to wait for official confirmation of recycling data from colleagues in Cardiff, but our own reporting suggests that Anglesey’s recycling rate has now reached an impressive 72%.”

The introduction of the council’s three weekly black bin collections and new trolley box recycling system in October 2016 has led to a marked increase in recycling levels across the county.

Charging for new residual bins; placing size restrictions on trailers, entering household waste recycling centres; and providing free green waste collections has also helped.

Education also remains a prime focus with council waste management staff who regularly visit schools to encourage pupils to become recycling champions.

Waste portfolio holder, Councillor Bob Parry, praised Anglesey residents for showing a real commitment to recycling.

He added, “We’re rightly proud of our recycling efforts here on Anglesey and very much hope that the new performance data, when published, will confirm that we’re the best recyclers in Wales.”

The Minister for Environment Hannah Blythyn will be at the Anglesey Show next week and also visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Gwalchmai, as well as other engagements on the island.

The Minister said, “When the Welsh Assembly was formed in 1999, our recycling rate in Wales was only 5%. By now, Wales is not only first in the UK for recycling, we’re one of the top nations in the world.

“It’s fantastic to hear that Anglesey has already met the 2025 recycling target. This is a tribute to the people of Anglesey, who’ve really embraced the need to reduce waste, which is vital if we want to leave a healthy environment for our future generations.”