Signs of improvement for area with worst recycling rate in Wales

The county borough council has rolled out its new "no side waste policy" to around 75 per cent of households in the borough since June last year.

The policy means residents can be fined if they persistently leave 'excessive' waste for collection.

A black bag sorting policy has also been introduced at New Vale Household Waste Recycling Centre as part of the strategy.

A council report giving an update on the roll out suggests the policy is helping to improve recycling rates.

In the first three quarters of this financial year, the authority's recycling rate stands at an average of 59.3 per cent, above both Cardiff and Newport.

A table comparing recycling rates of local authorities in Wales so far this year

Last year, the authority's was the lowest in Wales at 56 per cent.

"Overall there has been an increase in Blaenau Gwent’s recycling rate in 2018/19 and more noticeably since the introduction of side waste enforcement towards the end of quarter one," the report says.

READ MORE: Behind the headlines: Why does Blaenau Gwent have the worst recycling rate in Wales?

Recycling figures fall across all but one Gwent authority

For the first quarter of this year the authority's recycling performance was 56.58 per cent, nearly three per cent below the rate at the same time last year.

But there have been significant improvements in the second and third quarters of this year - coinciding with the phased roll-out - with the rate climbing to 62.78 and 58.89, respectively.

Based on the first three quarters of this financial year, Newport has the lowest recycling rate in Wales, though all Welsh councils are on track to meet the Welsh Government target of 58 per cent.

Figures for the final quarter are not yet available, while the stats for quarter three still need to be verified.

Since the introduction of the no side waste policy, 1,175 letters have been sent to residents in Blaenau Gwent displaying 'excess' waste on their collection day.

Following this, 86 households were issued with a further warning.

Four fines have been issued to residents for continuing to not comply with the policy so far.

Newport council is set to introduce a similar policy, where residents can be issued with warning stickers on their bins, but the council says fines will be a last resort.

Smaller bins will be rolled out in Newport to improve recycling

By reducing the amount of black bag waste collected, Blaenau Gwent has also saved £213,500 in the first three quarters of this year.

This is from money the council would have spent on waste treatment and disposal.

The policy could also help the council avoid further fines from Welsh Government.

Last year the authority was issued with a penalty of £126,800, though a decision on whether it will be imposed has yet to be made by Welsh ministers.