A SECOND waste recycling centre in Blaenau Gwent will be 'critical' to the council meeting future Welsh Government targets, the authority's leader has said.

A planning application to build the facility at Roseheyworth Business Park in Abertillery was given the green light in March.

The facility, originally estimated to cost around £2.5million, will provide similar facilities to the New Vale base in Ebbw Vale and is aimed at improving provision in the south of the county borough.

Council leader, Cllr Nigel Daniels, said the waste centre would be "crucial and critical" as the authority aims to meet future recycling targets of 64 per cent in 2019/20 and 70 per cent by 2024-25.

A meeting of the council's executive heard on Wednesday that the council is on track to meet the 58 per cent target this year.

It would be the first time the council has met Welsh Government recycling targets since they were introduced.

Cllr Daniels welcomed the improved recycling performance across the borough, but warned against complacency.

South Wales Argus:

Council leader Nigel Daniels

"The key thing is we cannot be complacent now as the target moves from 58 per cent to 64 per cent," he said.

"We really have to step up our game so that we continue to make improvements."

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Cllr Daniels said meetings have recently taken place with the Welsh Government over new ideas which could be introduced to further boost recycling rates.

Public engagement sessions will be taking place with the public this month to discuss the issue, the meeting heard.

The borough's recycling rate for this year currently stands at 59.3 per cent after three quarters.

Figures have improved significantly since the introduction of a 'no side waste policy' last June, which has now been rolled out to around 75 per cent of households.

Under the policy bin collectors only collect waste that is presented at the kerbside in a wheelie bin.

Matthew Perry, from the council's neighbourhood service's team, thanked residents for making a "big effort."

He said: "Without the community working with us nobody can achieve these recycling rates and the community of Blaenau Gwent have responded very well to our campaign."