Residents warned not ‘to waste your waste’
PEOPLE are being warned against “contaminating” their recycling as the local authority looks to clamp down on repeat offenders.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council recycled 64% of its overall waste in the 2016 calendar year – above the Welsh Government target of 58% and the Wales average of 63%.
But the council says many of the clear recycling bags are being contaminated with food waste or nappies.
These items should not be placed in the clear bags and could result in the entire contents not being recycled.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “Recycling rates are currently at their highest-ever level in Rhondda Cynon Taff, comparing favourably with other areas in Wales.
“We are currently above the Welsh Government’s target, but the figure will rise to 70% in the coming years so it is important progress is maintained.
“Not cleaning out food containers before recycling, or putting food waste or nappies in with your dry recycling bag, can lead to a whole week’s worth of recycling being wasted. The message to residents is clear – don’t waste your waste.
“The council provides weekly food waste collections and a nappy recycling scheme in an effort to make recycling as easy as possible for residents.
“By cleaning your recyclable food containers and putting food waste in your separate food waste bags you will help to make a huge difference to the number of items that we can recycle and reuse.”
For more information about contaminated recycling and how to avoid it, visit www.rctcbc.gov. uk/EN/Resident/BinsandRecycling/ContaminatedRecyclingWaste.aspx
For more information about recycling, including what should go in your different bins and details about the county borough’s seven Community Recycling Centres, visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/recycling