THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has achieved the second highest recycling rate among Wales' 22 local authorities.

Latest figures released by the Welsh Assembly Government show a healthy increase in the amount of recycling and composting undertaken by Vale residents and businesses, with the figure for 2007/08 being 34 per cent - an increase of four per cent on the previous year.

And early indications for April to June this year bring even better news and a really impressive figure of 38 per cent.

Congratulating residents on their great efforts in sending less household waste to landfill, cabinet member for visible and building services Cllr Geoff Cox said: "We really are going from strength to strength in terms of reducing, reusing and recycling.

"These results clearly show that we are going in the right direction to meet the Assembly's 2010 target of 40 per cent for our recycling and composting."

Cllr Cox added: "We all have to be committed to achieving ambitious 70 per cent recycling and composting targets proposed by ther Assembly for 2025. Those already recycling could look at ways to do even more and we look to those who do nothing yet to start.

"Through increased awareness and education, we are striving to make a difference by reducing the amount of waste we produce, reusing items as far as possible and, of course, recycling and composting."

The Vale council operates a comprehensive weekly kerbside recycling service (residents are reminded to place their collections out by 7am) as well as recycling banks and two recycling centres.

To find out more visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/recycle, call 01446 700111 or email: visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk