Residents across the city who put their general waste into black bags and put these on the pavement for collection have now received new seagull sacks – a simple but effective solution to stop birds and pests from tearing open rubbish bags and scattering litter across our streets.
Households that use wheeled bins have not received the new seagull sacks – as there isn’t a need for these properties, as wheeled bins are a proven way to contain household waste.
Following a successful trial of the seagull sacks in Adamsdown to over 1,000 properties earlier this year, the results were very encouraging, with:
- 16% drop in litter reports
- 36% reduction in general waste put out for collection
- Increased number of waste enforcement notices issued
Now, the scheme has been rolled out citywide. Every household that uses black bags instead of wheeled bins have received two 70-litre sacks – the equivalent of a 140-litre wheeled bin.
Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services, said: “The trial proved these sacks really work. They help keep our streets cleaner, encourage recycling, and improve the overall waste service for residents.
“We’re asking everyone to recycle and compost as much as possible using the blue and red sacks and food waste caddy. This reduces what goes into the general waste, increasing the recycling rate and helps us all do our bit for the environment.
“Birds and pests ripping open black bags has been a big problem, leaving rubbish strewn across our streets. These new sacks will reduce that – keeping waste contained, improving the cleanliness of our streets across the city and improving the communities that we all live.”
As part of the rollout, a cover letter and information booklet have been provided to the households on the scheme, so residents know how to use the new seagull sacks.
The scheme started on Monday, 17 November, with 14 wards starting their new collections, Cyncoed, Gabalfa, Heath, Lisvane, Llandaff, Llandaff North, Llanishen, Llanrumney, Pentyrch, Radyr, Rhiwbina, Rumney, Trowbridge and Whitchurch & Tongwynlais.
Cathays will go live slightly later, starting on Wednesday, 3 December.
The following wards will start the new collections on Monday (November 24), Butetown, Caerau, Canton, Ely, Fairwater, Grangetown, Pentwyn, Penylan, Plasnewydd, Riverside, Splott and Pontprennau/Old St. Mellons.
