DEESIDE’S Assembly Member has welcomed a funding boost to enhance recycling rates.

Jack Sargeant AM has welcomed a new £6.5million Welsh Government Circular Economy Fund.

Circular Economy Fund will help Wales reach the milestones of 70 per cent of recycling by 2025 and 100 per cent of recycling by 2050, as set out in the Welsh Government’s waste strategy Towards Zero Waste.

A circular economy keeps resources in use as long as possible by recovering and regenerating materials at the end of their life instead of disposing of them.

The Alyn and Deeside AM said creating a circular economy for plastic waste is a huge opportunity for the economy of his constituency, as well as benefiting the environment.

It will help create and protect jobs in Flintshire and across Wales, by making manufacturing companies more resource efficient and resilient and strengthening local supply chains.

He said: “20 years of devolution has been 20 years of improving recycling rates, in Wales. Wales tops the table of UK nations when it comes to recycling.

“There is always more to do and the announcement of this fund demonstrates that the Welsh Government are determined to take the next step.

“I want to encourage manufacturers across Flintshire to find out more and take a look at the WRAP Cymru website on the Circular Economy Fund and consider the opportunities we can offer them.”

The £6.5 million fund will offer grants to businesses of any size seeking capital investment funding to increase their use of recycled materials in manufactured products, components or packaging. WRAP Cymru will administer the fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

More information can be found online at www.wrapcymru.org.uk/.