Recycle rates up, despite initial issues
HOMEOWNERS who have put up with missed bin collections and maggots have been thanked for their patience by council chiefs.
The authority in Bridgend said despite the “well-documented teething problems” its new waste collection system has seen recycling rates improve.
Marking three months since the new system – which limits most households to putting out two bin bags per fortnight – came into effect, the council said that compared to June 2016, the first two weeks of the new arrangements saw a 55% increase in the amount recycled from homes.
The council said during the second two weeks of June 30% more recycling was collected from the kerbside when compared to the same weeks during June last year.
Recycling collections have remained weekly under the new council contract with private firm Kier, which started on June 5. A new absorbent hygiene product collection service has also been implemented.
But during the first weeks many residents’ recycling and bin bag collections were delayed or missed.
Many also reported they had not had the correct recycling containers or bin bags delivered.
Kier has taken steps to remedy problems, including taking on more staff, but people are still reporting issues.
Coun Hywel Williams, the council’s deputy leader, said: “I’d like to thank residents for the way they have embraced recycling since the new arrangements began this summer.
“Obviously there have been welldocumented teething problems with missed collections in some areas and delays on recycling container deliveries but we have worked hard with Kier to improve the situation and will continue to do so.
“In particular, there has been an overwhelming number of requests from residents who are keen to recycle food waste but don’t already have the caddies they need and these are being delivered as soon as possible.
“Although we are expecting the amount of recycling collected from households to settle down after that peak of a 55% increase during the first fortnight we fully anticipate the recycling rates to rise significantly on previous years thanks to the new arrangements and waste limits.”
Bridgend council said that when kerbside recycling is combined with the recycling collected at community recycling centres, the latest recorded statistic for Bridgend County Borough’s overall recycling rate (covering April to June 2017) stands at 63.7%, meaning that the council is well on track to achieving the ambitious recycling targets that have been set by Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government has set new targets of 64% in 2019-20, and 70% in 2024-25 for how much household waste needs to be recycled, and local authorities who fail to meet those targets will face heavy fines.