New fines aim to boost recycling rate but locals say 'try actually collecting bins first!'
New fines aim to boost recycling rate but locals say 'try actually collecting bins first!'
Caerphilly County Borough Council's recycling advisory teams - or 'RATs' - could hand £70 fines to repeat offenders who throw recyclable materials into their general waste bins
(Image: undefined via Getty Images )
Wales Online readers are outraged to hear that crews will sift through residents' rubbish bins in an effort to boost recycling rates. Caerphilly county council's recycling advisory teams – or 'RATs' – could impose £70 fines on repeat offenders who dispose of recyclable materials in their general waste bins.
Fines will only be issued as a last resort if previous attempts to engage with and educate persistent offenders prove unsuccessful. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, informed colleagues that the county's residents are generating 410kg of residual waste each year, compared to a national average of 360kg.
A 2023 study revealed that 59% of the contents of general waste bins could actually be recycled. Failure to meet national recycling targets could result in hefty fines from the Welsh Government.
Under the new penalty system, a third offence could ultimately lead to a £70 fixed penalty notice, which would be reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks.
During a cabinet meeting, the council's waste strategy officer Hayley Jones stated that teams had "engaged with several thousand residents" regarding the existing recycling scheme, "As well as the positive impact that removing the material would have, there are significant financial savings that can be achieved, particularly if we can divert food waste," she explained. "This is attributed to the lower costs of processing food waste through anaerobic digestion compared to incineration of general rubbish."
Council leader Sean Morgan further commented "when we are using the anaerobic facility it's a real circular economy because it's in our county borough."
The council has introduced an online resource, Recycle Right, to assist residents with proper disposal methods for various items and materials. Residents can access Recycle Right on the council's website here.
Commenter Hongkongphewee says: 'Not sure about Caerphilly, but this stuff is what Merthyr Council wants you to put in your general waste wheelie bin. Nappies & hygiene products? Pet waste? Broken glass? I wouldn't want to be the council operative poking around in peoples bins that could possibly contain any of these.'
0xo asks: 'What happens if a passer-by finishes their drink and decides to put their bottle or wrapping in someone's bin as they walk past? Especially if you live near a take away or shop?'
Cymru1 agrees: 'Also, if there is no house number on the bin where are they going to send the fine? It will be the householder's word against the binman and that's not going to work.'
Cindy-incidentally adds: 'Bins that anyone can walk past and dump anything in? I can't see this happening and it's totally not fair on the recycling team to have to do this. Will it be one of the councillors doing this search? No, I doubt it very much.'
Grimreaperdude states: 'This is unbelievable! Caerphilly council have missed 15 recycling collections in the past 21 weeks in the area I live. If they care that much about actually achieving their recycling targets, they might want to try actually collecting it in the first place!!'
Vandals points out: 'Merthyr's done it for years. No problems, just recycle. It's not hard.'
Dai257 jokes: 'Well they'll have to fill their bins 'Caerphilly' in future!'
Barrian writes: 'I think these councils forget we pay them and not the other way around.'
Studivine19 agrees: 'I can't speak about Caerphilly Council, but over with Neath Port Talbot, the recycling team sure do like leaving a mess after collecting the recycling bags every week. I wonder if I could issue fines to the NPT council for littering?'
Udy wonders: 'Anyone would think our local authorities who take care of education, social care, elderly care etc would have better things to spend our money on.'
How do you feel about the new plan, will it improve recycling rates in Wales? Have your say in our comments section.
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