New Draft Powys Sustainable Resource Strategy

3 December 2024

The Powys County Council's Waste and Recycling Service have developed a draft Sustainable Resource Strategy which will be discussed at next week's scrutiny committee. 

The draft Powys Sustainable Resource Strategy (2025-2030) is a comprehensive plan aimed at creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for Powys and future generations. Developed in partnership with WRAP Cymru and Local Partnerships, both of which work on behalf of Welsh Government, the strategy builds on the county's significant progress made in waste reduction and recycling over the past decade and addresses the ongoing challenges posed by the global climate crisis alongside other national and local drivers for change. 
 
The aims and actions within the strategy form a comprehensive plan which follow the principles of the waste hierarchy to reduce waste, promote reuse and recycling, and transition towards a circular economy. The five main aims of the strategy are: 

•    Reduce, Reuse, Repair: Prevent waste generation, extend product lifespans, and promote a circular economy. 
•    Recycling: Achieve and exceed the Welsh Government's 70% statutory recycling target. 
•    Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs): Increase recycling and reuse rates at HWRCs. 
•    Awareness and Enforcement: Improve how waste in managed and reduce illegal activities like fly-tipping. 
•    Infrastructure: Develop and maintain infrastructure to support increased recycling and decarbonisation. 

"As a county we have made significant progress in reducing the amount of waste we produce whilst increasing the amount we recycle." Explains Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. "In the last 10 years we have seen a 24,000-tonne reduction in amount of waste we produce, and our recycling rate has risen from 52.5% to over 68%. This achievement will have contributed to Wales being the second-best recycling nation in the world.   
 
"As we look ahead, we continue to face many challenges including our response to the global climate crisis, and a need to preserve our planet's natural finite resources. We must ensure that the services we provide support the people of Powys to collectively do their bit in reducing their impacts on our climate and the environment so that it is preserved for future generations.  
 
"By implementing the actions within the strategy, we aim to work collaboratively with the communities of Powys to reduce waste, promote reuse and repair, and increase recycling.  
 
"When developing strategies, it is important to involve our stakeholders in the process. We will be running a 12-week public engagement exercise, where we will be seeking views from residents, members, partner organisations and workplaces on the draft policy. Our stakeholders' voices will help ensure the strategy is comprehensive, feasible, and supported by the community and will influence future decisions and service provision across Powys." 

"Together we can reduce our environmental impact, lower our carbon footprint, move towards a sustainable circular economy where resources are valued and not discarded, and ensure a greener future for all."