Town set for fortnightly rubbish collections

Rubbish collections in Welshpool and Montgomery will become fortnightly from September 3, but a more intensive weekly recycling system will come into force at the same time.

 

The new system will be introduced by Powys County Council in a bid to increase the amount of waste being recycled across the county to meet strict Welsh Government targets, and avoid a potentially huge fine.

Householders will be given three recycling boxes - a red box for cans and plastic, a blue box for paper and card and an aqua box for glass, plus a black wheeled bin for non-recyclable rubbish. Residents can also request a small food waste caddy for the kitchen and a larger lockable version for outside storage if they currently don’t have one.

The council claims that the new scheme has worked well in other areas of the county, and has helped push Powys’ recycling rate up to 44%. However more work has to be done to reach the Welsh Government’s target of 52% for 2012/13 or it could face a big fine.

 

Steve Holdaway, Head of Local and Environmental Services at Powys County Council, said: “The council remains committed to recycling as much of its waste as possible and this improved service will help us hit our targets and avoid financial penalties, as well as protect the local environment.

“The new scheme allows households to recycle more materials than ever before and has worked magnificently in other areas of the county, and that is highlighted in the increased recycling rate over the past 12 months.

“I’m hopeful that residents in the Welshpool area will also embrace the new collections and reduce the amount of waste needlessly sent to landfill.”

An introductory leaflet is being dropped through letterboxes which includes a form for residents to request the smaller wheeled bin or the food caddies. Residents who currently have their recycling collected by Cae Post (pictured) will be unaffected.

Households deemed unsuitable for a wheeled bin such as flats will be distributed purple bags instead. This decision will be made by Powys County Council after initial property assessments.

Drop-in surgeries have also been arranged for residents to speak with council staff:

Monday, 30 July Welshpool Town Hall 8.30am-7.30pm
Monday, 6 August Montgomery Town Hall 2-7pm

Examples of the boxes can also be seen at the Flash Leisure Centre, Welshpool Library and Neuadd Maldwyn Council Offices, Severn Street, Welshpool.