THE way glass is collected by Monmouthshire council looks set to change for at least six months as part of a pilot that could be rolled out later this year.

The authority has looked at the way it could improve its recycling and waste services for the past two and a half years, seeking to bring it closer to Welsh Government recommendations.

It says it is wary of any dip in performance that follow any changes but that it could save up to half of fees it pays by sorting glass out at the roadside rather than taking it from purple bags.

The rest of the system the council uses to collect recyclables will remain the same during the pilot.

And if successful, sorting glass out at the kerbside could be rolled out permanently beyond the six months.

Figures show that of the 22 Welsh counties, it was the third best recycler, behind Denbighshire and Pembrokeshire. It recycled about 63 per cent of materials against a Welsh Government target of 58 per cent.

A document by the council’s recycling strategy and business manager Carl Touhig and head of waste and street services Rachel Jowitt says: “There is concern that a major change in recycling collection methods would result in a drop in performance, thereby putting at risk MCC’s reputation, public buy in and compliance with statutory recycling targets which come with fines.”

The Welsh Government recommends kerbside collections and half of Wales’ councils use already use them.

The report says people’s views have been sought and that staff will also be asked for their thoughts.

It states: “Crews can make or break a service and in line with council principles we want our staff to own the service they run and therefore their views are critical to the future of the service.”

Councillors on the strong communities select committee will be asked for their opinion on the proposed changes at a meeting tomorrow (Thurs) at County Hall in Usk.