In a budget-cutting exercise, the council has asked all services to identify 5% in financial savings for next year – equating to £739,000 for its waste and recycling services.
The proposals were an attempt to reach this goal but were voted down on 13 November.
Other rejected plans included introducing a charge for non-statutory garden waste collections, consulting on no longer providing black bags (in common with most other Welsh councils) and ceasing the use of wheeled bins in collection rounds.
However, several measures were approved, including the combination of paper and card kerbside collections and the introduction of kerbside collections for waste electrical and electrical equipment (WEEE).
The council additionally decided to update two of its policies related to missed collections and the collection of waste from overflowing bins.
Councillor ‘not convinced’ by reduced collections
The Welsh government’s recycling target will rise to 70% from 64% in Spring 2025. Neath Port Talbot’s recycling rate currently sits at 68%.
Councillor Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot council’s cabinet member for streetscene, said that he is confident that the council will meet the 70% collection target but that there was “significant work ahead” in encouraging residents to recycle – particularly when it comes to food waste.
On garden waste charges, he added: “I am not convinced there will be enough interest from residents in this chargeable service which some may see as an additional tax. It could even result in a cut in green waste being counted towards out recycling targets if some residents choose not to use a paid service.
“Also, I do not believe it is appropriate or environmentally friendly to leave pet waste in a wheelie bin or refuse bag for three weeks. This will inevitably place more pressure on our already overstretched environmental health and pest control departments.”
18 months ago, the council consulted on plans to reduce collections and charge for non-statutory garden waste collections. It also held several member meetings to gather views.
Councillor Jones concluded: “We are listening to the public – taking into consideration the concerns raised by the public during consultation as well as those from the scrutiny and wider council membership.
“I’m not convinced moving to three weekly collections or implementing a green waste collection charge is the right approach at this time.”
If you want to find out more about waste and recycling collections, make sure you attend the Collection Conference 2024 in Coventry on 21 November 2024. See the full agenda and book tickets here.
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