The amount of waste recycled in Swansea has dramatically increased in the last few years from less than 5% to almost 25% and all households are now served by kerbside recycling schemes. Improving the way we deal with waste is not the only issue to consider; reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place is the long-term solution. Household waste has been increasing each year so meeting national targets set for reducing it poses a major challenge. It will require fundamental lifestyle changes and more sustainable choices by everyone.

Aiming for zero waste is the long-term aspiration, which means designing out waste from products as much as possible and regarding all waste as a potential resource leaving a minimal amount for disposal. It is intended that the range of materials collected for reuse or recycling will be extended to include garden and kitchen waste and plastic packaging. High participation is fundamental to making recycling schemes and reuse projects efficient and cost effective. As with most kerbside schemes operating in Wales, participation rates in Swansea are currently too low and it is estimated that less than half of what could be easily recycled is currently separated by householders for segregated collection.

When Swansea’s main landfill site was closed in 2005, waste not recovered for recycling had to be transported for disposal in other parts of Wales, resulting in higher financial and environmental costs. Longer-term local or regional solutions must be found for disposing of all our waste which would limit the need for transportation and avoid passing the problem on to other communities. Greater awareness raising is needed which clearly links waste production to disposal costs and environmental concerns. It may also be necessary to explore ways to introduce incentives and enforcement schemes to encourage households to reduce waste and increase recycling.

A network of civic amenity sites in Swansea offers householders the opportunity to dispose of many items which may be hazardous or bulky, including batteries, electrical equipment, garden waste and oil. Community-led projects, including charity shops, furniture reuse and composting schemes make important contributions to reducing waste in Swansea whilst also creating training and employment opportunities. Swansea Community Recycling Alliance and Partnership (SCRAP) involves community groups, the local authority and waste businesses in working together to promote sustainable waste management.

Although Municipal waste is of most concern in the context of this Strategy, it is not the only waste produced in Wales. The construction, agricultural and other industries create waste while making products for us to use. Business and industry can often find ways to use resources more efficiently and, together with research organisations, have an important role to play in developing innovative ways to recycle materials and designing products with durability and end-of-use recovery in mind.

Householders and organisations can support sustainable waste management practices by choosing products that have recycled content, use less packaging and are easily repairable or recyclable. New building developments need to be designed with facilities to help occupants segregate their waste.

Fly-tipping and illegal disposal of waste is not just unsightly but can create risks to human health and wildlife and is costly to deal with. It is estimated that cleaning up after fly-tippers in Wales during 2003 cost £725,000. Positive steps need to be taken to prevent such action.