Wales recycled 48% of household waste in the last financial year, according to a Government report.

This means the country is on track to achieve its target of recycling 52% waste by 2012/13.

The ‘Local Authority Municipal Waste Management, January-March 2012′ report shows the quarterly recycling rates for municipal waste achieved by Welsh local authorities in the final quarter of 2011/12. The country’s recent figure shows a 4% increase in recycling from the previous year.

John Griffiths, Environment Minister, said he was delighted the country was managing their waste in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

He added: “One reason for our good progress is that every local authority in Wales offers weekly food collection services. Separating out food waste not only diverts significant waste away from landfill, it also makes us far more aware of the food we are wasting, which can often result in reduced waste and lower food bills.”

The country also hopes to meet its target of 70% recycling by 2025 and zero waste by 2050.