MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council’s new glass recycling scheme has had a successful trial with a draft report detailing the results and plans for a county wide introduction in 2018.

The trial, which had residents separate their glass for recycling, started on 19th September and involved 6,500 houses in the north of the county.

The draft report on the trial and proposals for the future of waste collection was presented to the Strong Communities Select Committee on 16th January.

In the report 1,000 participants were surveyed and out of 410 that replied 86 per cent were happy with the trial.

The report also outlines potential waste collection models with the recommended option involving the continual weekly collection of red and purple bags and a fortnightly collection of glass and residual waste. Food and green waste will be collected separately.

This option is estimated to reduce annual costs by more then £600,000. Much of this reduction comes from the separating of glass from the paper and card it was previously collated with.

By separating the materials the glass can be recycled on its own and value is added to the paper and card.

A proposal to re-introduce grey bags for the collection of residual waste was deferred for further investigation but the remaining proposals were passed by the Strong Communities Select Committee.

The final report will come before cabinet on 1st March for approval.

If agreed upon these changes will be introduced across the county between April and July 2018.