Bridgend’s recycling changes starting to bed in B
ridgend County Borough residents are getting used to a number of changes to how they recycle at home. New recycling arrangements began in the county borough at the start of June, with residents getting to grips with new recycling containers and new limits on the number of rubbish bags they can throw out each fortnight.
Homes with up to five residents are restricted to throwing out a maximum of two rubbish bags every two weeks, while there are extra dispensations for larger households and any homes that use ash-producing coal fires as their primary source of heat.
To help residents achieve the new limits, a new optional collection for nappies and other absorbent waste products has also been introduced.
After some early teething problems, the new arrangements are now bedding in, and Councillor Hywel Williams, Bridgend County Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “Early indications are highly encouraging, with huge increases in daily recycling tonnages.
“The new system will continue to be carefully monitored and evaluated to ensure that it is running efficiently.”
With more people recycling than ever before, the council is keen to point out that residents should learn what can and can’t go in each recycling container.
Particular care needs to be taken when recycling plastics. A vast amount can be recycled, including plastic bottles, food containers, yoghurt pots, tubs and plastic cups
However, certain types of plastics are not currently accepted for recycling and should instead be placed in bin bags.
The types of plastic that can’t be recycled at the kerbside include any black plastic, carrier bags, bread bags, plastic film, cling film, sweet wrappers and biscuit wrappers.
As the demand for food recycling caddies has increased substantially, residents are reminded that all types of food waste including cooked and uncooked food, peelings, bones, meat, fish and even pet food are suitable to be recycled in the brown food caddies.
Out of date food that may be lurking at the back of the fridge or cupboards is suitable too.
Packaging on any food products needs to be removed and recycled where possible too.
Anyone who is unable to reduce their waste to meet the new waste limits can still take any additional rubbish bags to the Community Recycling Centres in Brynmenyn, Tythegston and Maesteg.
Upon arrival, staff will first ask to separate any recyclable items into the appropriate skips so that only the leftover non-recyclable items go into the general waste skip.
Please visit www. recycleforbridgend.wales to find out more.
If residents have any queries regarding collections or containers, they should call 01656 643643 or email recyclingandwaste@bridgend.gov. uk.