Caerphilly County Borough Council is stepping up its efforts to boost recycling rates.
During a Cabinet meeting which took place in May 2025, the Council agreed to expand the use of Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This extension will now cover cases where recyclable materials are being placed in general waste bins.
The Council already uses this legislation to address the misuse of recycling containers. This approach has helped improve residents’ awareness of what can be recycled at the kerbside. Since the recycling education and engagement process began in February 2024, over 30,000 cases of contamination have been identified, and the Council’s team of Recycling Advisors have carried out more than 3,000 home visits. During this time, only 28 fixed penalty notices have been issued, demonstrating the Council’s focus on education rather than enforcement.
The process involves a series of letters and home visits designed to inform and support residents. Legal action is only taken when all other engagement efforts have been exhausted.
This same process will now be applied to general waste bins to help reduce the volume of recyclable materials being thrown away. The aim is to ensure these items are sent to the correct recycling facilities.
Caerphilly currently falls short of the Welsh Government’s recycling targets and produces one of the highest levels of general waste in Wales—410kg per household, compared to the national average of 360kg. These new steps are now vital to improving recycling performance, protecting the environment, and avoiding potential fines.
With 59% of the contents in Caerphilly’s green bins being recyclable, of which 31% is food waste, this initiative is designed to encourage better waste habits and help residents manage their waste more sustainably.
Cllr Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member responsible for waste and recycling said: “Recent analysis shows that 59% of the waste in our green bins could have been recycled. This shows that whilst our recycling participation in CCBC is high, unfortunately we aren’t getting it right. This new process is about helping to inform, support and advise our residents, to get the right things in the right containers.
“We have seen great results from using this method with our recycling process, and we hope extending this to our bins for non-recyclable waste will encourage everyone to sort their waste properly and recycle what they can, supporting the great work already being done by so many in our community.
“Issuing fines is never our first choice. But in cases where residents repeatedly ignore recycling rules despite support and guidance, we have to act.”
4 Comments
Presumably all houses who aren’t putting out food bins are a start point for visits.
The council has changed its mind on food waste several times, a sizeable number of households have their own compost heaps or give it to another or use it on allotments, recycling has turned into a nightmare due to lack of nationwide conformity, it needs a full reset to address the what is recyclable issue, it’s a bit of a mess!?!
I would like to know why the council are so bothered about this and the councilor too. When the amount of JUNK ELECTION MAIL, LEAFLETS AND CRAP THAT CAME THROUGH MY DOOR ……. QHICH WAS BOT RECYCLABLE IS A DISGRACE ! ! ! …..But then noone care about that as everyone just wanted the seat …….. If you ask me its just yet another way that Caerphilly County Borough Council are finding a way to WASTE MONEY AGAIN ! . . . ANOTHER TASK THAT WILL BE DROPPED AFTER ALL THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN SPENT …….. DISGRACEFUL! ! ! . YOUR ALREADY DOING HALF THE JOB OF WASTE COLLECTION AS IT IS FOR THE SAME COUNCIL TAX . DONT CLEAR THE LITTER OUT IF DRAINS CAUSING FLOODS…. …. DONT CUT THE GRASS REGULAR . ROAD SIGNS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH OVERGROWTH . COUNCIL OFFICES BEARLY USED FOR THE PURPOSE INTENDED. TOO MANY STAFF STILL DOING WORK FROM HOME . (SET AN EXAMPLE) . . AS WELL AS MANY MANY OTHER CUTBACKS…… IF MONEY IS THAT HARD UP ? ? THEN WHY INVENT SOMETHING TO WASTE MORE MONEY . YET AGAIN ! ….. SPEND IT ON WHATS BEEN CUT BACK ALREADY …. LIBRARY CLOSURES. MEALS ON WHEELS FOR ELDERLY. PARKS… YOUTH CLUBS…. THERE IS LOADS ! . ID LOVE TO SEE THE ACCOUNTS ?
Yet another stelth tax and money money making scheme. Maybe turning lights off in council buildings at night i e Ystrad fair and lighting areas where public safety is compromised may be somthing ccbc may want to consider