The Environment Minister for Wales, John Griffiths, has issued a statement thanking Welsh citizens for their recycling efforts in 2012 and urging them to up their recycling efforts in the New Year.

The call for continued vigilance follows news that Wales is now recycling more than half of its municipal waste.

According to the latest statistics, a total of 53 per cent of waste was recycled across Welsh councils in the first quarter of 2012/13 (April – June 2012), two per cent higher than the same period last year.

The Welsh Government has said that these figures signal that the country is on target to meet its first statutory recycling target of 52 per cent for the year 2012/13 and continues to lead the UK in its effort to recycle.

Congratulating the people of Wales on their achievement for 2012, Griffiths stressed the need to divert as much waste as possible from landfill and up recycling efforts to ensure that future targets are met.

Speaking about Wales’ success, Griffiths said: “2012 has been a milestone year for waste and recycling in Wales.

“Our success is due to the hard work of local authorities and the commitment of the communities they serve – both of which should be very proud of the progress they have made.

“However, as we begin 2013 I urge everyone to do a little bit more and recycle everything we can to ensure Wales’s precious resources are maximised rather then sent to landfill.”

Griffiths urged that it was ‘essential’ recycling became a daily habit to ensure that Wales meets its recycling target of 70 per cent by 2025 and zero waste to landfill by 2050.

He added: “The past year has shown that the people of Wales recognise the importance of living more sustainably. I thank them for everything they have achieved during the last 12 months and look forward to seeing what we can achieve during 2013.”

Read more about Wales’ recycling figures for 2012.