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Wales Online
29-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
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. Article continues below
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Council's bin rummaging plan sparks 'nothing better to do' jibe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Recycling teams in a Welsh county will sift through residents' bins in an effort to increase recycling rates. Caerphilly County Council's recycling advisory teams could impose £70 fines on repeat offenders who dispose of recyclable materials in their general waste bins. North Wales Live readers have had their say on the whole plan. Fines will only be implemented as a last resort if previous attempts to engage and educate repeat offenders prove unsuccessful. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, informed colleagues that the county's residents are producing 410kg of residual waste each year, compared to a national average of 360kg. Research conducted in 2023 discovered that 59% of the contents of general waste bins were actually recyclable. Failure to meet national recycling targets could result in multimillion-pound fines from the Welsh Government. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the council's waste strategy officer Hayley Jones stated that teams had "engaged with several thousand residents" on the existing recycling scheme, which coincided with a significant increase in food waste collections. "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 said. "This is due to the fact that sending food waste for anaerobic digestion is cheaper than incinerating general waste." Council leader Sean Morgan added: "When we are using the anaerobic facility it's a real circular economy because it's in our county borough." PedroD says: 'If it wasn't that a proportion of waste collected correctly for re-cycling ends up in landfill anyway, then this may be just.' Thewokearefastasleep predicts: 'No doubt it will cost the council more to operate than it will save through correcting any incorrect separation.' Steamnut thinks: 'There is still a lot of confusion about packaging. The clear film on food containers is currently not recyclable whereas the container it was the cover for is. Some products - usually in very small print - say 'generally recyclable'. If the council is going to start handing out fines after having a time-consuming rummage then we need clarity on what is and is not recyclable.' Jonesey1 agrees: 'Many times I've put plastics that aren't the usual household food packaging (power tool casings and other hard plastics) in the plastics recycling box. Sometimes the binmen leave them in the box so we just let them sit in there until the next week's collection and they magically disappear into the recycling wagon. I think it might depend on how diligent they're feeling as to whether or not the 'unrecyclable' recyclables are taken.' Toxteth O'Grady adds: 'What if someone uses your bin without your knowledge as they're likely to do on certain streets?' Pete Watson replies: 'Just because the wrong item is in a bin doesn't mean the householder put it in there. So unless there is a direct evidential link between the item and the householder then any fine will successfully be challenged.' Nerys Dumbell said: "Have they nothing better to do like clearing up the rubbish that gets blown out the bins? There are tins and plastic wrappers everywhere and they just leave it!" Tina Thompson replies: 'This will be a huge health and safety risk for the guys who collect the bins. You never know what will be in the bins.' Helen Job points out: 'The crews are already stretched and sometimes it's not always clear if something is recyclable or not. £70 for an honest mistake won't go down well with residents. Why not ask the binmen to put the recyclable item in the correct bin if they find it in the general waste bin?' Caroline Hartley writes: 'It's not a legal requirement for domestic waste to be recycled, it is a legal requirement for companies/ businesses to recycle. Maybe the council should focus on some of the bin collectors and wagons who drop rubbish from bins and don't pick it up. They leave recycling boxes in the roads or slide them down the path damaging them.' Sue Davenport replies: 'It's staggering the cheek of our Councils expecting us to do their refuse sorting work for them whilst charging us higher and higher rates of Council Tax for the privilege.' Do you think these new plans will improve the recycling rate? Have your say in our comments section.
North Wales Live
29-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Council's bin rummaging plan sparks 'nothing better to do' jibe
Recycling teams in a Welsh county will sift through residents' bins in an effort to increase recycling rates. Caerphilly County Council's recycling advisory teams could impose £70 fines on repeat offenders who dispose of recyclable materials in their general waste bins. North Wales Live readers have had their say on the whole plan. Fines will only be implemented as a last resort if previous attempts to engage and educate repeat offenders prove unsuccessful. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, informed colleagues that the county's residents are producing 410kg of residual waste each year, compared to a national average of 360kg. Research conducted in 2023 discovered that 59% of the contents of general waste bins were actually recyclable. Failure to meet national recycling targets could result in multimillion-pound fines from the Welsh Government. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the council's waste strategy officer Hayley Jones stated that teams had "engaged with several thousand residents" on the existing recycling scheme, which coincided with a significant increase in food waste collections. "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 said. "This is due to the fact that sending food waste for anaerobic digestion is cheaper than incinerating general waste." Council leader Sean Morgan added: "When we are using the anaerobic facility it's a real circular economy because it's in our county borough." PedroD says: 'If it wasn't that a proportion of waste collected correctly for re-cycling ends up in landfill anyway, then this may be just.' Thewokearefastasleep predicts: 'No doubt it will cost the council more to operate than it will save through correcting any incorrect separation.' Steamnut thinks: 'There is still a lot of confusion about packaging. The clear film on food containers is currently not recyclable whereas the container it was the cover for is. Some products - usually in very small print - say 'generally recyclable'. If the council is going to start handing out fines after having a time-consuming rummage then we need clarity on what is and is not recyclable.' Jonesey1 agrees: 'Many times I've put plastics that aren't the usual household food packaging (power tool casings and other hard plastics) in the plastics recycling box. Sometimes the binmen leave them in the box so we just let them sit in there until the next week's collection and they magically disappear into the recycling wagon. I think it might depend on how diligent they're feeling as to whether or not the 'unrecyclable' recyclables are taken.' Toxteth O'Grady adds: 'What if someone uses your bin without your knowledge as they're likely to do on certain streets?' Pete Watson replies: 'Just because the wrong item is in a bin doesn't mean the householder put it in there. So unless there is a direct evidential link between the item and the householder then any fine will successfully be challenged.' Nerys Dumbell said: "Have they nothing better to do like clearing up the rubbish that gets blown out the bins? There are tins and plastic wrappers everywhere and they just leave it!" Tina Thompson replies: 'This will be a huge health and safety risk for the guys who collect the bins. You never know what will be in the bins.' Helen Job points out: 'The crews are already stretched and sometimes it's not always clear if something is recyclable or not. £70 for an honest mistake won't go down well with residents. Why not ask the binmen to put the recyclable item in the correct bin if they find it in the general waste bin?' Caroline Hartley writes: 'It's not a legal requirement for domestic waste to be recycled, it is a legal requirement for companies/ businesses to recycle. Maybe the council should focus on some of the bin collectors and wagons who drop rubbish from bins and don't pick it up. They leave recycling boxes in the roads or slide them down the path damaging them.' Sue Davenport replies: 'It's staggering the cheek of our Councils expecting us to do their refuse sorting work for them whilst charging us higher and higher rates of Council Tax for the privilege.'
North Wales Live
24-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Recycling crews at Welsh council to search bins and hand £70 fines to rule-breakers
Recycling crews will rummage through people's bins in a scheme to boost recycling rates in a Welsh county. Caerphilly county council's recycling advisory teams could dish out £70 fines to repeat offenders who throw recyclable materials into their general waste bins. Fines will only be used as a last resort if previous attempts to engage and educate repeat offenders are unsuccessful. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, told colleagues that the county's residents are producing 410kg of residual waste each year compared to a national average of 360kg. Research in 2023 found 59% of general waste bins' contents was actually recyclable. Failing to hit national recycling targets runs the risk of multimillion-pound Welsh Government fines. Under the new penalty system residents will first receive a leaflet outlining what should be placed in each container or bin. Incidents of "non-compliance" will be dealt with by a recycling advice team visit and a letter explaining the breach. A second incident would result in another letter and a so-called section 46 notice telling the resident involved they have a legal duty to separate their waste. A third incident would ultimately lead to a £70 fixed penalty notice – which would be reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks. Speaking at a cabinet meeting the council's waste strategy officer Hayley Jones said teams had "engaged with several thousand residents" on the existing recycling scheme coinciding with a sharp uptick in food waste collections. "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 said. This is because the cost of sending food waste for anaerobic digestion is cheaper than sending general waste for incineration. "When we are using the anaerobic facility it's a real circular economy because it's in our county borough," added council leader Sean Morgan. The council has launched an online tool, Recycle Right, where residents can check how to dispose of various items and materials.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Council crews to search bins and hand £70 fines to rule-breakers
Council crews to search bins and hand £70 fines to rule-breakers Residents risk £70 fines for throwing away recyclable items in general waste Crews will rummage through people's bins in a scheme to boost recycling rates. Caerphilly county council's recycling advisory teams – or 'RATs' – could hand £70 fines to repeat offenders who throw recyclable materials into their general waste bins. Fines will be used as a last resort if previous attempts to engage and educate repeat offenders are unsuccessful. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, told colleagues that the county's residents are producing 410kg of residual waste each year compared to a national average of 360kg. Research in 2023 found 59% of general waste bins' contents was actually recyclable. Failing to hit national recycling targets runs the risk of multimillion-pound Welsh Government fines. Under the new penalty system residents will first receive a leaflet outlining what should be placed in each container or bin. Incidents of 'non-compliance' will be dealt with by a recycling advice team visit and a letter explaining the breach. A second incident would result in another letter and a so-called section 46 notice telling the resident involved they have a legal duty to separate their waste. A third incident would ultimately lead to a £70 fixed penalty notice – which would be reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks. Article continues below Speaking at a cabinet meeting the council's waste strategy officer Hayley Jones said teams had 'engaged with several thousand residents' on the existing recycling scheme coinciding with a sharp uptick in food waste collections. '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 said. This is because the cost of sending food waste for anaerobic digestion is cheaper than sending general waste for incineration. Article continues below 'When we are using the anaerobic facility it's a real circular economy because it's in our county borough,' added council leader Sean Morgan. The council has launched an online tool, Recycle Right, where residents can check how to dispose of various items and materials. Recycle Right can be found on the council's website here. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here.
