The council says it is faced with meeting the Welsh Government’s increased recycling target of 70%, while also trying to find savings of 5% across all of its services, equating to a £739,000 cut for its waste and recycling services.
The council’s current recycling rate is 68% and it faces heavy fines from Welsh Government for failing to meet the new target from next Spring.
At a meeting on November 13th, 2024, members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet were asked to consider options to cut costs and boost recycling including a move to three weekly collections of black bag waste.
Other options included introducing a charge for non-statutory garden waste collections, consulting on no longer providing black bags and ceasing the use of wheeled bins in collection rounds.
These options were all rejected.
Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “About 18 months ago we agreed to consult on implementing three weekly waste collections as part of our waste strategy given that this is a strategy increasingly being adopted across Wales to boost recycling rates. At that time we consulted with our residents over three weekly collections and a proposal to charge for green waste.
“I also chaired several member meetings and met the scrutiny committee to gather views on these proposals.
“I’m confident as a council we can meet the 70% Welsh Government recycling target as our recycling performance has been improving and I thank our refuse and recycling departments for their efforts in this area. However, I believe that moving forward we still have significant work ahead in promoting and encouraging residents to recycle – particularly food waste.
“Regarding green waste collection charges, I am not convinced there will be enough interest from residents in this chargeable service which some may see as an additional tax. It could even result in a cut in green waste being counted towards out recycling targets if some residents choose not to use a paid service.
“I’m aware a significant majority of residents who responded to consultation have expressed their views on the three weekly collection and green waste collection charge proposals and acknowledge we have much work ahead not only to improve our recycling targets but also to enhance the quality of service we deliver. I look forward to collaborating with officers on this.
“Also, I do not believe it is appropriate or environmentally friendly to leave pet waste in a wheelie bin or refuse bag for three weeks. This will inevitably place more pressure on our already overstretched environmental health and pest control departments.
“We are listening to the public – taking into consideration the concerns raised by the public during consultation as well as those from the scrutiny and wider council membership.
“I’m not convinced moving to three weekly collections or implementing a green waste collection charge is the right approach at this time.”
(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
