Powys County Council has signed up to an agreement with a neighbouring council to recycle aerosol cans.

Powys County Council and Blaenau Gwent Council have signed a new five-year agreement totalling £400,000 for the safe collection and recycling of household aerosols.

Their latest contract with Grundon Waste Management ensures the councils are ready for new Welsh Government regulations which began on 6 April, mandating the separate collection and recycling of aerosols.

Deputy Leader for Blaenau Gwent Council, Cllr Helen Cunningham, said: “By working in partnership with Powys County Council, we have been able to find an environmental solution to aerosol recycling that conforms to the new Welsh Government legislation that begin on April 6.

“Aerosols need to be recycled safely as they often contain hazardous substances and gases. This joint working arrangement allows Blaenau Gwent to conform to the regulations and adhere to our sustainability targets.”

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The new agreement is an extension of an existing partnership which, in the last four years, has seen Powys County Council recycle 100,000 aerosols while Blaenau Gwent Council led the way by recycling two million aerosols.

Grundon’s award-winning aerosol recycling facility enables every single part of the aerosol to be recovered or recycled, with the propellant gases repurposed for use in other industries, such as air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, while the metal canisters and plastic casings are sent for recycling or reprocessing. To date, over 200 tonnes of valuable metal have been recycled.

The Blaenau Gwent Council contract is worth around £75,000 a year, while the Powys County Council is some £5,000pa.

Paul McConaghy, Grundon’s Commercial Manager – Hazardous Waste, said: “We’re delighted to have extended our partnership with Blaenau Gwent Council and Powys County Council to continue recycling the thousands of aerosols that are thrown away every day from households across South Wales.

“By doing so, they have shown they have led the way ahead of the new legislation. Our capability to recycle or repurpose every part of aerosols supports the circular economy by ensuring nothing is wasted and assists the councils in meeting their sustainability goals while remaining at the forefront of environmental progress."