Help is at hand for villagers struggling to understand the new recycling system being introduced to the Welshpool area.
Powys County Council is rolling out the new waste and recycling kerbside collection service in the following villages:
Arddleen, Bont Llanerch Emrys, Buttington, Bwlch-y-cibau, Caerhowel, Castle Caereinion, Cilcewydd, Coedway, Crew Green, Criggion, Cyfronydd, Foel & Heniarth, Forden, Four Crosses, Fron, Geuffordd, Groes-lwyd, Guilsfield, Heniarth, Leighton, Llandrinio, Llandysilio, Llanerfyl, Llanfechain, Llanfyllin, Llangadfan, Llangedwyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Llansilin, Luggy Bridge, Meifod, Melin-y-ddol, Middletown, Pentre’r Beirdd, Pentrefelin, Pontrobert, Sarnau, Trefnanney, Trewern, Waun & Wern.
The new service will begin from 22 October, but the council has promised to provide back-up and support to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Recycling collections in these areas currently differ, but by introducing the new scheme, the council says it ensures all households receive a similar level of service. Households will receive weekly recycling collections for items such as glass, paper, card, cans, mixed plastics and food waste, and a fortnightly collection for any other waste material that can’t currently be recycled.
For residents who already use the red and black box recycling scheme, they will continue to use their current containers but also be delivered a set of food waste and kitchen caddies and a wheeled bin for non-recyclable rubbish from October 1. All other residents will have a new set of the recycling boxes, food caddies and wheelie bin delivered around the same time.
Households deemed unsuitable for a wheelie bin, such as flats, will be distributed rubbish bags instead. This decision will be made by Powys County Council after initial property assessments. If after the new containers have been delivered a householder feels they are unable to manage them, they should contact Powys County Council and assisted collections will be offered to qualifying households.
A collection calendar highlighting which week to put out non-recyclable waste in the wheelie bin and a comprehensive recycling guide indicating what is accepted in the containers will be sent all residents.
Steve Holdaway, Head of Local and Environmental Services at Powys County Council, said: “Having rolled out the improved service to many of the largest towns in the county, we are now looking to extend it to other communities in Powys to give us the best chance of reaching our recycling target.
“We currently recycle 46% of our waste, which is a 7% improvement from this time last year. However there is still plenty of work to be done to push this rate up towards the 52% target we have been set by the Welsh Government.”
A series of drop-in surgeries will be held where residents can come and speak to council staff about the changes, get more information about the scheme and see examples of the new bins and containers.
Wednesday 5 Sep - Guilsfield Community Centre, 3-7pm
Monday 10 Sep - Llanfyllin Public Hall, 4-7pm
Tuesday 11 Sep - Castle Caereinion Village Hall, 4.30-7.30opm
Wednesday 12 Sep - Llanerfyl Village Hall, 4-7pm
Thursday 13 Sep - Forden Community Centre, 4-7pm
Friday 14 Sep - Middletown Village Hall, 4-7pm
Monday 17 Sep - Four Crosses Village Hall, 4-7pm
Tuesday 18 Sep - Arddleen Community Centre, 4-7pm
Wednesday 19 Sep – Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant new Village Hall, 4-7pm