County council makes statement on blue recycling bag controversy

* Some blue cardboard recycling bags have been disintegrating - with replacements costing £12.50.

Denbighshire County Council won't be announcing until this autumn whether it will continue to charge residents to replace worn-out blue cardboard recycling bags.

But in the meantime it says residents can put out their cardboard for collection in another "suitable bag of a similar size" and its crews will collect these.

People across the county have been complaining about disintegrating blue bags for months.

While the council, which is responsible for recycling, says it is aware of the problem and is looking at ways of addressing it, it continues to charge £12.50 for a new bag.

This has led to a surge of complaints, with hundreds of users signing an online petition demanding a free replacement.

This afternoon the council has issued a statement on the controversy, which says: "Denbighshire County Council fully understands the concerns residents and local members have raised about the blue cardboard recycling bag, and we want to reassure people that the Waste and Recycling team has listened to the views of residents and is committed to looking into this carefully.

"At a Full Council meeting this May, councillors discussed a notice of motion that was put on the agenda about reviewing and reforming the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Collection Policy.

"Work commenced following the Notice of Motion to prepare a full report that will set out the options regarding residents’ recycling containers, including the blue cardboard bag.

"The Council must follow due process, and this report will be considered by the Communities Scrutiny Committee in September. Following the committee’s recommendations, this will then go before Cabinet in the autumn where a decision will be made regarding any proposed changes to the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Policy Waste Collection Policy."

The statement adds: "While this process is underway, we encourage residents to continue using any blue bags that remain in good condition, provided they can be safely collected by our crews and emptied into the collection vehicle. Residents whose bags are damaged beyond use can order a replacement through the Council's website. Replacement bags should be delivered within four weeks.

"In the meantime, residents may present their cardboard for collection in another suitable bag of a similar size to the Council-issued blue cardboard recycling bag. Our crews will collect these.

"We would like to sincerely thank residents for their continued efforts to recycle and for the support they show to our collection crews. Their commitment makes a real difference, helping us to protect Denbighshire’s local environment and build a cleaner, more sustainable county for communities now and in the future."