Council to discuss ending charges for replacing blue recycling bags

An end to the ongoing row over Denbighshire County Council charging residents to replace worn-out blue recycling bags could come next week.

On Tuesday the council's powerful cabinet will discuss a proposal to change its policy on waste and recycling containers, which means:

• Allowing all residents to collect free replacements for blue cardboard bags and orange food caddies from selected locations - initially household waste recycling centres - and
• Allowing households on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to order one free recycling container per year.  This applies to any recycling container, not just blue cardboard bags and orange food caddies. 

Cllr James Elson, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I have heard residents’ concerns about the blue cardboard recycling bags, and I recognise their frustration when they are charged for a replacement bags.  

"I know that people across Denbighshire want to support our county’s recycling efforts, so I want to help them by looking at practical options that make it easier and cheaper for households to keep doing their bit."

* To view the relevant Cabinet papers for the Waste and Recycling Container charges please visit here 

* Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins has used her social media to support the scrapping of the charges for blue bags.

She posts today: "People across Denbighshire are being charged to replace bags that simply aren't fit for purpose.

"I've heard from hundreds of residents who are fed up with it. Next week, the council has the chance to put this right.

"It's time to scrap these unfair replacement charges and stop penalising people for a problem they didn't create."

And she asks people to let her know if they have been affected by the charges.