Recycle For Merthyr – Side Waste And Overloading Bins Reminder

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s revised recycling scheme has now been in place for 12 months – and we are delighted to report that we have seen great improvements in the quality of the recycling that we collect and a reduction in the amount of waste being placed in wheeled bins. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The majority of households are now separating their waste into recyclable and non-recyclable materials and we would like to say a big THANK YOU to those households for making the effort! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

However, we are still facing some challenges, with a small number of residents overloading their bins and/or leaving side waste (rubbish left alongside a wheeled bin). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Side Waste ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Although the Council has not collected side waste for a number of years, some householders are still placing it out for collection. This side waste not only contributes to letting down the visual perception of affected areas, but also has a detrimental effect on the area through animals opening the bags and split bags allowing litter to escape and scatter. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Overloading bins ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Refuse bins are designed to be emptied safely from a closed lid position, which helps to avoid any unnecessary mishaps during collections; therefore any overloaded bins must be rejected and not emptied. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Overloading refuse bins and/or presenting side waste for collection could result in further action being taken against the householder – if you are overloading your refuse bin or placing side waste out for collection you will receive a red tag on the bin informing you of reasons why your refuse has not been collected, followed by an explanatory letter that will lead to legal proceedings being instigated if any further offences are committed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr David Jones, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Public Protection, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the residents that participate in our recycling schemes. The fact they recycle cans, plastic containers, glass, paper and cardboard means that their refuse can generally be accommodated in their wheelie bin, eliminating the need for side waste. Recycling at home will reduce the need to visit our Civic Amenity sites, saving both time and money (in fuel costs) for residents.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“However, a small number of residents are not taking part in the services correctly which contributes to the detrimental effect on our streets, local area and the County Borough as a whole. It is these people we need to work with. Black bags left in gardens and on our streets can attract vermin, create a stench in warm weather and look unsightly.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Making simple changes to the way waste is dealt with in the home will have a positive impact on the local environment for everyone to enjoy this great town we live in”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who needs help with managing their waste and recycling can contact the Waste Services team for advice (see details below) and more recycling containers can be requested, if needed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To householders that do not separate their waste into recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials: please reconsider your decision and start supporting your local community and environment! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​