THE publication of the 2014-2015 recycling statistics for the 22 local authorities in Wales has revealed a differing trend across the five councils in Gwent.

A nationwide report on waste management, monitored by Natural Resources Wales, found that Monmouthshire County Council ranked as the third best local authority regarding recycled and reused materials.

Caerphilly, Torfaen and the Newport City councils all achieved the Welsh Government statutory level, but Blaenau Gwent ranked last across all the Welsh authorities.

The statutory rate set by the Government is 52 per cent, which means the percentage of materials which are treated as waste must be reused, recycled or composted.

With an impressive 63.2 per cent, Monmouthshire County Council ranked the highest in Gwent and one of only four authorities to achieve over 60 per cent, but at just 50.3 per cent, Blaenau Gwent was the lowest.

Caerphilly (54.6 per cent), Torfaen (52.7 per cent) and Newport (52 per cent) were three of the five lowest ranked authorities to achieve the legislative requirement.

The national figures show that just two of the local authorities in Wales failed to reach the standard set by the Welsh Government, with Merthyr Tydfil joining Blaenau Gwent at the bottom of the table.

The minister for natural resources Carl Sargeant said on the report: “I congratulate householders and local authorities of Wales for this fantastic achievement.

“I thank them for their commitment to recycling more and sending less waste to landfill than ever, maintaining our position as the best recyclers in the UK.”

The report showed an overall increasing recycling trend across Wales.