A NEW recycling pilot scheme for the north of Monmouthshire has been approved by senior councillors.

Residents will soon be asked to separate glass from the rest of their recycling and put it into boxes or reusable bags. The glass will then be collected on a separate day to the rest of the recycling.

The pilot looks set to involve around 7,500 to 8,000 homes and will take part in the north of the county and is anticipated to be launched in September. An exact location is yet to be established.

The six-month pilot has been introduced to bring Monmouthshire closer to the Welsh Government’s recycling collections blueprint.

The county already has the third highest rate for recycling in Wales at 63 per cent. The recommended target set by Welsh Government is 58 per cent.

MCC is compliant with the majority of the blueprint set by Welsh Government but differs with collections.

Rachel Jowitt, head of waste and street services at MCC, said: “I appreciate we introduced recycling changes in 2013 and I appreciate the sentiments around stability.

“Recycling is still relatively new and is continuing to evolve. We have to continually look to ensure we are compliant.

“Our glass, because it goes through the crushing process, is so small that the majority can’t go back into glass.

“This is low grade recycling and is classed as worse than landfill.

“If the pilot is successful I’ll come back and say to roll it out for the county.”

Cabinet met last Wednesday (2nd March) to approve the recycling pilot.