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What are the proposed changes?
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If agreed the proposed changes would mean that from September 2024, general waste will not be collected from wheelie bins. Residents simply need to place their black bags (maximum of 3, standard size (70l)) at the collection point on their normal day.
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When would these changes happen?
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If approved, these changes would start in September 2024.
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Can I keep my wheelie bin?
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If approved, residents who are currently using a wheelie bin, can keep the bin to store black bags in between collections.
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Why is the Council proposing these changes?
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Residents and visitors will benefit from an improved streetscape, by removing the bins as obstructions in between collections from pavements; the council receives many complaints about bins on footways, especially in narrow terraced streets.
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The Council can use its waste collection fleet more efficiently by having standardised vehicles across RCT.
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Residents will not have to wheel or carry wheelie bins through their homes or up and down garden steps.
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The Council can use other smaller vehicles to collect black bags if larger collection lorries are not able to access a street due to parked cars.
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Will Council Tax go down because you are proposing to change the collections?
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No. The Council still provides a weekly recycling collection service to enable residents to dispose of their waste, with additional services including nappies, green waste, food waste and Community Recycling Centres. Any efficiencies made under the proposals would be reinvested into Council services and to improve the recycling and waste services we deliver.
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Will I still have my agreed assisted collection, due to my disability/inability to get to my normal bin collection point?
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Yes, any agreement that is currently in place to assist with the collection of bags/bins will remain if the prposals are agreed. If you dont have an agreement in place, but feel that the proposed changes would mean you require an assisted collection, you can request an Assisted Collection online - however please wait until a final decison is agreed before you do this.
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Can I take my black bags to a Community Recycling Centre?
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No, Community Recycling Centres do not and have never accepted black bag waste or household recycling items - these must be placed out as part of your kerbside collections.
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Are there any changes to recycling?
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There are no changes to your weekly recycling collections under the proposals.
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How can I reduce the amount of general waste I have?
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As up to 80% of waste can be recycled, most of your household waste can be disposed of weekly. For more information on how to recycle food, plastics, paper, nappies, green waste plus more, please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/Recycling
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What size black bags would be collected?
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It is proposed that 3 standard black bags (70l) would be collected - no excessively large black bags or wheelie bin liner size/industrial size black bags would be collected.
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Do the bags have to be black?
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Yes, if agreed the bags would need to be black and be no bigger than 70l. The crews do not want to collect a bag intended for charity by mistake and the use of black bags for non-recyclable waste removes any confusion.
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Can I leave my wheelie bin out in between collections?
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No, under the proposals all bins are to be removed from the highway and kept within your property to be used for storage ONLY. Black bag waste will NOT be collected from inside wheeled bins at the kerbside.
Black bags would need to be taken out of the bins and put out for collections on the resident’s normal collection day and time.
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Can you give me help if I struggle to carry my black bags to the collection point?
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Yes. As always we are here to help residents as much as possible and they will be able to apply for an additional black bag allowance, which will allow them to have more black bags- enabling them to only half fill them, making them easier to carry. If resdients are still struggling they can also apply for an assisted collection.
Apply for an additional black bag allowance online.
You can request an Assisted Collection online.
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How do I dispose of animal waste?
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Cat litter and dog waste will need to be disposed of in your black bags.
More information can be found on these pages.
If you feel you would struggle under the proposed changes residents can also apply for an additional black bag allowance on these pages.
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What happens if I have more than 3 black bags some weeks?
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As approximately 80% of household waste can be recycled, you can keep your black bag waste to a minimum by removing any recyclable items. This includes any items that can be recycled at a CRC including books and textiles.
The Council also has a team of experienced Awareness Officers who will be on hand and can advise on all matters relating to recycling at home.
If you feel you would struggle under the proposed changes residents can also apply for an additional black bag allowance on these pages.
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Are there any changes in the Rhondda?
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There are no proposed changes to waste collections in Rhondda.
Rhondda residents have been putting out Black Bags for collection for a number of years and this proposal would ensure that the whole of the County Borough operates the same and operates a standardised waste service for ALL.
Rhondda residents currently recycle around 30% more* and put out around 50% less* black bag waste than the neighbouring areas.
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Will you expect residents with disabilities such as visual impairments and dementia to comply with these proposed changes?
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We are aware there will potentially be residents who need additional support due to their personal circumstances. You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online. You can request an Assisted Collection online.
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How do I dispose of medical waste?
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We appreciate there are some residents who have specific needs. Clinical Waste is collected by Cwm Taf University Health Board. Clinical Waste includes: Medical sharps - (needles, syringes or other sharp instruments) - stored in yellow sharps bins Hazardous clinical waste - (dressings or bandages contaminated with blood and dialysis waste) - stored in orange clinical waste bags Incontinence pads and stoma, catheter/colostomy waste does not fall under Clinical Waste collection - this waste must be disposed of in your domestic black bag.
If you require a clinical waste collection please contact the Health Courier Services in Bridgend on 0300 123 9208.
You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online You can request an Assisted Collection online.
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I have a STOMA bag and this is causing me to overfill my bags, what can I do?
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We appreciate there are some residents who have specific needs.
If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.
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I have a lot of animals – what do I do with their waste?
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Animal waste needs to be placed into a bag, tied and placed in your black bag waste and placed out for collection.
You can also take black bags of animal waste to your nearest CRC.
Used sawdust bedding from small, hutch animals e.g. guinea pigs, rabbits, mice can be recycled. Please place into your GREEN reusable sack and we will collect this as part of your green weekly collection service.
Sign up to Green Waste Recycling here.
If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.
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Will there be a fly-tipping increase if the proposals go ahead?
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The propopsed changes should not affect fly-tipping levels - there is no excuse for such offences. Much of the fly-tipping we clear includes furniture, household appliances and building waste, which would not be collected on the kerbside. If you can drive to a mountain or a lane to dump it, you can drive to a CRC to dispose of it for FREE and avoid a hefty fine when caught. We have also made it clear we will be as accommodating as we can and if you have reasonable personal circumstances why you will struggle with the limit, please make contact. Disposal of such items would be through the CRCs or a pre-booked bulky waste collection. The limit we have placed on refuse collections is based on the fact 80 per cent of household waste can be recycled - including nappies, food and green waste. If you are recycling as much as possible, the limit should be ample.
We are aware there are personal circumstances that may affect a household's ability to adhere to the limits and you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.
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Will there be an increased smell and additional vermin due to the proposed changes?
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Rats and vermin are attracted to food waste in black bags and, if you are using the full range of weekly recycling services, particularly food waste, there should be very little in your black bag waste that would smell or attract additional pests. If you would like to sign up to food waste recycling you can do this online.
We are here to help and advise residents on how to recycle and if you feel you will struggle with the proposed changes you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.
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What about larger families who already recycle as much as possible but will still struggle with the proposed changes?
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Households can put out a maximum of THREE standard black bags (70l max) every three weeks.
We believe that if you are recycling as much as you can, then this should be ample for non-recyclable waste.
If you feel you would struggle under the proposed changes, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online - however please wait until a final decison is agreed before you do this.
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