The 11^th Annual Cylch Conference in Cardiff saw Cylch members commended on their success as well as urged on to even greater achievements.

Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson AM took to the stage in order to congratulate Cylch members for their part in delivering the Assembly Government’s waste strategy. Speaking of her vision for zero waste and zero landfill in Wales, the Minister told the Cylch Conference: “Wales has met its share of the EU target for 2010 two years early, which is a fantastic achievement. So I am confident that the proposed new recycling target of 70% by 2025 is well within our reach.”

Controversially denouncing the "rapacious" financial elite who have led the country into an economic downturn, Jonathon Porritt of the Sustainable Development Commission urged community groups forward in the rebuilding of the natural and social capital depleted by years of unsustainable “Casino Capitalism”. Porritt’s speech provided a detailed outline of the macroeconomic context in which Cylch organisations are, with the help of the Cylch Capacity Building Fund, uniquely placed to deliver outstanding value for money to Local Authorities.

Download the recording of Jonathon Porritt's speech here

The current economic and political climate, coupled with tremendous support at the highest levels, show that the tide really is turning in favour of community recyclers.

There is no better time for Cylch members to get down to the business of building the social and environmental capital that communities truly depend upon.