THE region’s councils are winning the battle against waste, according to new figures.

The amount of biodegradable material such as paper, cardboard and kitchen scraps sent to landfill across Wales decreased by 39 per cent between 2005/2006 and 2009/2010.

At the last count all 22 local authorities – including Wrexham and Flintshire – had sent less biodegradable waste to landfill than their legal maximum.

Cllr Aled Roberts, leader of Wrexham Council and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesman for environment, said: “The WLGA is proud of the councils’ and importantly the public’s performance in reducing and diverting biodegradable waste from landfill. However the challenge doesn’t end here.

“The targets are getting harder and harder and we need a concerted push, not only to continue to increase our recycling but also to reduce the waste being generated in the first place.”

Wales’ Environment Minister Jane Davidson said the Landfill Allowances Scheme has been a resounding success for Wales, with every local authority in Wales  rolling out separate food waste collections.

She added: “I have committed £34 million between 2009 and 2011 to ensure as many households as possible have access to these services.

“But householders also have a significant role to play, by thinking carefully about their shopping habits and about how they can stop food going to waste. This will save them money.”

The Landfill Allowances Scheme Wales report is published by the Environment Agency Wales.

Its director Chris Mills said the ultimate aim was to send zero waste to landfill.

He said: “We need to use our natural resources more efficiently. We all need to keep thinking about what we’re putting in our bin bags and think about where it’s actually going.

“You can recycle and compost your waste, either at home or through collection services.

“Landfills are fast becoming a thing of the past.”