Caerphilly County Borough Council is set to expand its enhanced recycling engagement programme after early results showed a significant improvement in how residents are using waste and recycling services across the county borough.
Over a 12 week period, Recycling Advisors worked directly with households as part of the first phase of the council’s expanded Section 46 process, which combined monitoring of general waste bins with advice and support aimed at helping residents recycle more effectively.
During the first phase, 3,172 properties were monitored, with contamination levels in general waste bins falling significantly over five monitoring weeks. The number of bins containing recyclable materials dropped from 494 in the first week to just 63 by week five.
The council said food waste was the most common recyclable material incorrectly placed in general waste bins, followed by cardboard and plastic bottles.
Recycling Advisors worked closely with residents to explain how food waste and recycling collections should be used, leading to what the council described as sustained improvements across the monitored areas.
Where issues continued, further engagement took place, including the use of statutory notices. In total, ten legal notices were issued during the first phase, all of which were resolved through compliance without the need for any Fixed Penalty Notices.
The council says the approach reflects its commitment to prioritising education and support before considering enforcement action.
Following the positive results, the next phase of the programme will now be rolled out to a further 5,723 properties across several communities, including parts of Caerphilly, Machen, Trethomas, Phillipstown, Rhymney, Oakdale, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed and Cefn Hengoed.
Residents in these areas may see Recycling Advisors working within their communities, offering guidance, answering questions and helping households make the most of the council’s recycling and food waste services.
The programme forms part of the council’s wider efforts to increase recycling rates, reduce waste and encourage more sustainable waste management across the county borough.
A spokesperson for CCBC said: “We are extremely encouraged by the results of our enhanced recycling process. They clearly show that residents want to do the right thing, and that with the right support and guidance we can help ensure recyclable materials go into the correct bins.
“We would like to thank residents for their continued support and for helping us work towards a cleaner, greener Caerphilly”
