MONMOUTHSHIRE residents are star recyclers in Wales, new figures show, with those in Newport and Torfaen trailing behind.

The overall recycling rate in Wales was 54.3 per cent, but there were large discrepancies between councils.

Newport’s rate for 2013/14 was the lowest in Gwent at 51.7 per cent, while Monmouthshire raced ahead at 62.9 per cent.

Blaenau Gwent stood at 54.9 per cent, Torfaen at 52.3 per cent and Caerphilly at 57.6 per cent.

All the Gwent authorities did better than Cardiff, however, which, at 49.7 per cent, failed to recycle even half its waste.

The statistics, collated by Natural Resources Wales, take into account all local authority waste collected and sent for disposal from household and non-household sources during the year.

The Welsh Government aims to recycle 70 per cent of waste by the year 2024.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for recycling, Councillor Bryan Jones, said: “Monmouthshire is justifiably proud of its recycling rate of 62.9 per cent.

“This performance is all down to the brilliant way our residents adopted the changes we made in July 2013 with the introduction of restricted grey bags for general rubbish.

“We do not believe that such a performance would have materialised without this change.

“All I can do is thank our public once more and just ask them to carry on what they are doing to allow Monmouthshire to remain as one of the best local authorities for recycling within the UK.”

Welsh Conservative shadow minister for environment Antoinette Sandbach AM said: “We welcome an overall improvement in recycling performance but it’s clear there is still much to be done if the 2016 target is to be met.

“Labour ministers must work more constructively with local authorities to help share best practice, break down barriers and promote efficient recycling methods.”

The full figures and findings of the waste management report are available on the Welsh Government’s website at wales.gov.uk