Local authorities across Wales could find it easier to reach recycling targets and avoid landfill costs thanks to a package of support from the Welsh Government.

Environment Minister John Griffiths has announced that £3,282,000 capital funding will be made available for councils to invest in recycling infrastructure this financial year.

All Welsh councils will be able to bid for a share of £1,913,500 of the funding. The remainder will be split between three councils which have already bid for funding to support innovative recycling-boosting schemes.

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These schemes include a mattress recycling centre for Rhondda Cynon Taff which will be able to keep 1,000 mattresses a week out of landfill, a cooking oil recycling scheme for Gwynedd which could provide bio-diesel for council vehicles, and the introduction of 40,000 new sturdy recycling boxes in Torfaen.

The Minister said: "Everyone in Wales can be proud of the way in which we have transformed ourselves from a low-recycling country to leading the UK. However if we are to reach our ambition of recycling at least 70 per cent of all waste by 2025 and being zero waste by 2050 we must keep up the momentum.

"Investing in waste prevention and recycling infrastructure makes good economic sense. We know that if councils continue to landfill the same amount as they did in 2010 they will face an extra £50 million in landfill costs from 2014. We also know that recycling 70 per cent of our waste will save local authorities £8 million a year compared to 2010 and that if our waste prevention targets are also met they could save £18 million a year by 2025 and £40 million a year by 2050."

(CD)