Swansea gets tough on residents misusing recycling bags

Despite displaying which recyclables can be collected on the side of residents' green collection bags, Swansea has still been receiving sacks containing the wrong materials or mixed household waste.

” We have had cases where people have filled their bags with waste “
– Trish Flint, Swansea council
As a result, the council is sending out investigation teams to find out which residents are abusing the recycling scheme, and if the situation does not improve the council could prosecute residents. One prosecution is already underway according to Swansea recycling officer Trish Flint.

Ms Flint said: “Some people think that if a material is recyclable they can put it in no matter what, we have had this with plastic a fair bit. But we have had cases where people have filled their bags with waste.”

Since the green bags are semi-transparent, Ms Flint said collection crews can see if they contain large amounts of non-recyclable items. If this is the case, she explained that the bags are left behind and an investigation team is alerted.

She explained: “If a resident is putting in materials, such as plastic, which we do not collect, we will send out a letter informing them of the correct way to deal with their recyclables. If they are simply filling the bag with waste, the letter will be stronger and warn them that action will be taken if they do not stop. If they continue further, action will then be taken.”

Target
The council's recycling service has been running throughout Swansea since July 2004, increasing the recycling rate from 15% to 20%. Swansea is aiming to reach a recycling rate of 25% by 2006/07.

In 2005, the council is likely to start collecting cardboard on the service, while plans are to expand green waste collections from the 1,100 household trial to 20,000 more houses.

The council has also been concentrating on local schools and the university in a bid to bring the recycling rate up even further. Collection crews will be picking up recyclable paper from about 90% of the schools in the area. At Swansea's university, cash prizes are to be offered for students who recycle their waste.