Caerphilly County Borough Council has reported encouraging results from the latest phase of its enhanced recycling engagement and education programme, with hundreds fewer households placing recyclable materials in their general waste bins following advice and support from Recycling Advisors.
The Council’s expanded Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 process combines monitoring general waste bins with direct engagement, helping residents make better use of existing recycling services.
The approach focuses on education first, providing practical support to households and only considering enforcement where repeated non-compliance continues after extensive engagement.
During Phase 2 Recycling Advisors worked with 5,723 households in communities across the borough, including Caerphilly (Pontygwindy area), Machen, Trethomas, Phillipstown, Rhymney, Oakdale, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed and Cefn Hengoed.
Over the 12-week period, Advisors monitored general waste bins, carried out more than 1,600 initial visits and undertook further follow-up engagement with residents where required.
The results demonstrate a significant improvement in recycling behaviour. With the number of general waste bins containing recyclable materials reducing from 799 to just 154 by the end of the process.
Food waste was the most misplaced recyclable material, being found in 1,758 bins throughout the monitoring period. Cans and plastic bottles followed with 733 and 687 reports respectively.
23 legal notices were issued during Phase 2, only two cases progressed to Fixed Penalty Notices, demonstrating that enforcement remains a last resort and is only used when all other engagement opportunities have been exhausted.
Councillor Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “These results are extremely encouraging and show that residents are responding positively to the support and guidance being provided.
“The reduction in recyclable materials found in residual waste bins demonstrates that education works. Every item that is recycled correctly helps us reduce waste, improve recycling performance and make better use of valuable resources.
“We would like to thank residents for their continued cooperation and support throughout the process. Together, we are helping create cleaner communities and a greener, more sustainable Caerphilly County Borough.”
Building on the success of Phase 2, the next phase of the programme has now commenced and will involve a further 5,696 properties across the county borough. The areas included are Caerphilly (Castle View area), Ystrad Mynach, Penallta, Bargoed, Newbridge, Blackwood and Cefn Fforest. Residents in these communities may see Recycling Advisors in their area over the coming weeks, providing information, advice and support to help households recycle right.
For more information about what goes in each bin, visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/what-goes-in-my-bins.
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