Mohammad Asghar has paid tribute to residents in Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent as figures show the combined levels of municipal waste being recycled, reused and composted has increased over the last year.
Figures covering July to September 2010 demonstrate the upward trend in numerous local authorities in the South Wales East region.
Mr Asghar said: “I am pleased that, in most local authorities in South Wales East, more households are working hard towards reducing the amount of waste going into landfill”.
The South Wales East AM added “We face big challenges in Wales with regards to the environment.
“The efforts of households to reduce their carbon footprint go a long way towards meeting these challenges, so I warmly welcome these developments and congratulate the residents involved”.