County to discuss waste collection changes

A series of recycling initiatives aimed at helping communities across Denbighshire gear up for significant changes in waste and recycling collections in 2021 will be outlined to members of Denbighshire’s scrutiny meeting this week.

In December 2018, Cabinet approved significant changes to the system for collecting household residual waste and recycling and for the introduction of segregated kerbside weekly recycling service and four weekly refuse collection. The key focus is on putting plans in place to introduce the new services in 2021.

The council is also working with partners to find alternative solutions for those households who find managing their waste more challenging, as the Council recognises that one size does not fit all. Projects that will be introduced over the next two years include:

• A food waste recycling initiative
• Launch of an eco schools awards and working directly with schools
• Purchase of new kerbside recycling vehicles
• Roll out of gull proof recycling sacks in West Rhyl
• Staggered roll out of new communal bin facilities
• Fortnight free opt-in kerbside recycling service for nappies and incontinence pads,
• Recruitment drive for additional workforce
• New larger black bins offered to residents
• New Trollibocs delivered to homes over 12 week period, and blue bins recovered

Plans have also been drawn up for a waste and recycling transfer station on the Colomendy Industrial Estate, Denbigh.   

This site would replace existing services at our Ruthin and Kinmel Park depots and allow the Council to separate and bundle recycling on location, rather than transferring it to a site in Flintshire.   

Pre-planning consultation begins in late October and subject to planning permission, it is hoped that work will begin on site in early Summer 2020, ready for use in September 2021.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways,Environmental Impact,Waste and Sustainable Travel, said: “We want to work with communities over the coming months to make sure they know about the changes that are coming their way between now and the main roll-out in 2021.   

"There is more focus than ever on councils across Wales improving their recycling rates, with the expectancy that the rates will be set even higher in the coming years and we want to be ready for those changes.

“The introduction of the new services will help the county improve its recycling rates and improve the quality and value of the recycling we collect. In the meantime we want to work with residents to encourage more recycling as quickly as possible .  

"We will be doing this through a range of initiatives, publicity around how people can recycle and speaking directly with communities through roadshows, drop-in sessions and social media coverage, to name but a few initiatives.

“By working together, we can ensure that the changes in 2021 are introduced as seamless as possible and that people will feel empowered to recycle more."