Flintshire County Council hits 70% recycling target

Flintshire County Council is on track to hit the Welsh Government’s 70% statutory recycling target.

This follows the introduction of a number of service changes, including the move to three-weekly black bin collections.

New figures show the target was met in the first two quarters of 2025/26, marking a significant improvement on previous years.

From 2021 to 2024 the council did not meet the previous statutory target of 64%, resulting in significant potential infraction fines. In 2024/25, when the target was raised to 70%, Flintshire achieved a recycling rate of 63%, meaning the county has been below target for four years in a row.

The council took action to improve recycling performance with the adoption of a new Resource and Waste Strategy for 2024-2030, which set several commitments to lead Flintshire towards a circular economy, maximise resource efficiency and minimise waste. In order to prioritise waste minimisation and increase recycling, collections of non-recyclable (black bin) waste moved to three-weekly in April 2025 following a long engagement period.

Other new measures, including the ‘visible waste’ process introduced at Household Recycling Centres this year, and ongoing work to raise awareness of recycling have also made a significant impact.

As we move towards a circular economy, it is important to recognise the vital role recycling plays in cutting carbon emissions, reducing the amount of waste sent for incineration, and protecting our natural resources by keeping materials in use for longer.

In recognition of the council’s efforts to improve recycling performance, the Welsh Government has already waived the £663,000 fine for missing the target in 2021/22, but fines for the three subsequent years – totalling more than £1 million – could still be imposed.

Councillor Glyn Banks, Cabinet Member for Waste and Transportation, said:

“These early results are very encouraging and show that changes we’ve made are having the intended impact.

“I want to thank residents for the effort they are making to recycle more and adapt to our new collection arrangements.

“Our new Resource and Waste Strategy is about doing the right thing for the environment while also protecting public money by avoiding further fines.”