Council mulls three-weekly collections for black bin bags

RHONDDA Cynon Taf (RCT) Council will consult with the public on moving black bin bag collections to once every three weeks under new proposals.

As part of the proposals that went before cabinet on Tuesday, the limit of one black bag a week per household which is currently in place will continue, moving from two bags per fortnight to three bags every three weeks.

The proposals mean that households will be able to put out three black bags every three weeks.

The council said that almost a third of councils in Wales already successfully operate three-weekly collections.

The collection of nappy waste, food waste and clear bag recycling would continue to be collected weekly, which should make up almost 80% of weekly household waste.

The council said that the proposed change is projected to achieve an increase in recycling equal to 2,600 tonnes and would mean a 1.9% increase in the council’s overall recycling rate (based on 2021 figures), increasing from 67.48% to 69.38%.

The council would look to save around £800,000 in running costs and reduce its overall carbon footprint by approximately 100TCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year.

The council said that any saving achieved would be diverted to safeguard other key services such as social care or education.

The council said that cabinet has previously recognised that unprecedented challenges lie ahead for services across local government due to the ongoing economic impact of Covid-19, Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, with double-digit inflation and 355% increases in local authority energy prices forecast for next year.

It said: “In such circumstances it is vital that the council avoids non-recycling fines by meeting Welsh Government’s recycling targets and supporting Wales’ efforts to become net-zero by 2030.”

The Welsh Government’s recycling rate target is 70% by 2025. The current recycling rate for RCT stands at 67.48% and the council said it must act now to ensure it isn’t subjected to large fines of £140,000 for every 1% that it fails to reach.

The council said: “This huge sum of money, at an already difficult time, could result in services being cut or affected in order to pay the fines.”

It is estimated that eight out of every 10 black bags that are put out for collection could be recycled, and it is thought the change would encourage people to stop and think about every item that is thrown away – and whether they can be recycled, the council said.