The policy is part of a wider move aimed at providing “greater clarity for residents and boosting recycling performance”, agreed by councillors this week.
The closed lid policy is to be introduced after an audit in October found that 75% of “side waste” left alongside residual waste bins was found to be recyclable material. This will mean that residual waste bins that can not be collected if they contain excess material.
In exceptional circumstances arrangements can be made to help those who need a larger or extra bin for their non-recyclable waste, the council has said.
Garden waste
Other changes in policy have been agreed that will include charges for providing boxes and bins to new developments and a 10-week green bin collection lay-off. These measures will lead to a net saving of £35,000 a year.
According to the council, garden waste tonnages decline in the winter months and green bin collections will be suspended for 10 weeks each winter instead of the previous six weeks. Under the new policy residual waste (grey bin) collections will continue on a fortnightly basis.
Councillor Dyan Jones, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The whole ethos of this is not about taking a dictatorial approach but educating residents about our recycling service and supporting them to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill and increase recycling performance.
“These small changes in this policy will generate savings but more importantly will encourage some residents to take on more responsibility for their waste, which will benefit us all.”
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