A PILOT which could see people in Monmouthshire asked to separate glass from their other recycling could be introduced as early as this summer.

Monmouthshire council revealed last week it is considering changes to see if its recycling services could be improved and brought closer to Welsh Government recommendations.

The authority’s head of waste and street services Rachel Jowitt said as much as half the money it pays to waste collectors could be saved if glass is sorted separately, possibly using separate bags or boxes. Plans show the current purple and red bag system is likely to be retained.

The pilot could involve up to 8,000 residents in north Monmouthshire for six months – but any change would not be introduced countywide until autumn 2017.

Half of Wales’ 22 local authorities already pick up glass separately.

Mrs Jowitt said: “Any collection method has its risks so if we were going to proceed with [collecting glass separately] then the first thing we would do is go down to Pembrokeshire where they already collect glass separately.

“I don’t think we could argue it can’t be done seeing as our neighbouring authorities collect glass separately.”

Councillors were asked for their views on possible changes at a select committee today.

Strong communities select member Kevin Williams said: “If you're going to use the box I think you'd better employ Yodel to collect it because if there's nobody in they can throw it over your gate so that they know you've got it.

“The bag, this reusable thing, with the weather we've had over the last few weeks, and we seem to be getting it more and more, people are going to be chasing those down the street.

“What we've got now works, it's tidy."

Monmouthshire council’s recycling service is the third best in Wales. Figures show 63 per cent of its materials are recycled. The Welsh Government’s target is 58 per cent.

Debby Blakebrough, who represents Trellech United and is standing as an independent candidate in the forthcoming Welsh Assembly elections, said Monmouthshire should “stick to their guns”.

“We should keep our simple bag system despite Welsh Government’s drive to bring in the bulky box kerbside recycling. There is a legitimate reason to separate glass and that can be achieved through the bag system,” she said.