Mixed views on new seven

Dec 07, 2023

CONCERNS have been raised that a new ‘complicated’ seven-container scheme could lower recycling rates in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The new recycling scheme has received mixed reviews from Vale residents, with some worried that the system could result in a drop in recycling rates.

The scheme was first introduced to rural areas of the Vale in 2019, to Barry in 2020 and on April 17 it was brought to Penarth, Llandough, Sully and Dinas Powys.

The new recycling system delivered three additional bags, meaning each household has a total of seven containers per household to be collected every week.

Council image of seven recycling bags

The seven-bag recycling scheme includes:

Penarth resident Wynn Griffith, 50, said: "It seems inevitable that a more complicated system will be a challenge for some groups.

"Whilst the scheme might be more efficient at recycling plants, it won't be at home and certainly won't be for those collecting the waste at the kerbside."

Some residents have expressed concern over finding space for three additional recycling containers.

Mr Griffith said: "I live in a modest flat and don't want to turn half of my kitchen into a waste pre-processing facility.

"I'm sure I'll get used to the new bags quickly enough, but there simply isn't enough space for all of the new bags and boxes."

Aside from the new opportunity to recycle batteries, Mr Griffith said: "Essentially, we have lots more bags just to recycle the same things."

According to Cllr Mark Wilson, cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, the new scheme has improved quality of recycling in the Vale.

The scheme was introduced in Dinas Powys earlier this week, and, writing on Facebook, Vale Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett said early figures were promising.

"The Vale is one of the top recycling counties in Wales and with Penarth, Dinas Powys and Sully on board we can hopefully increase our sector leading performance," she said.

Presenting figures on how the waste had been sorted, she wrote: "Where contamination exists, a sticker is applied, and this is referred to as a ‘lockout'.

"So far today, there have been approximately 383 lockouts outs of the total number of properties that were monitored and collected.

"This represents a contamination rate of approximately 11.05 per cent, which is in line with the Barry roll out (each day across Barry, during the first week, contamination varied between 10 per cent and 14 per cent contamination). This means that nearly 90 per cent of recycling is already sorted perfectly so thank you."

On problems faced by the crews, she said: "Recycling presented in white bags was the main issue today, meaning crews were unable to assess the product/material. These were stickered and left.

"There was also lots of large loose cardboard not contained within the orange bag, which means it will not fit the aperture on the collection vehicle."

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Last Updated:

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?