Households across the Vale of Glamorgan could benefit from a new weekly collection service for nappies and other absorbent hygiene products under proposals being considered by the Council.
Plans for a new Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) collection service will be put before the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Place Scrutiny Committee later this month before being considered by Cabinet.
The proposals also include permanently expanding a textile recycling service currently being trialled in Barry to households across the whole of the Vale.
If approved, both changes are expected to be introduced from November as part of efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling.
The proposed AHP service would provide weekly collections for households producing waste such as nappies, incontinence pads and other absorbent hygiene products.
Councillor Mark Wilson, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Building Services, said: “The Vale of Glamorgan already has one of the best recycling performances in Wales and these proposals demonstrate our ongoing commitment to making recycling easier and more accessible for residents.
“We recognise that some households, particularly those with young children or residents who require hygiene products for medical reasons, can find it difficult to store absorbent hygiene products for up to three weeks. The proposed weekly collection service would provide a practical and convenient solution while helping us remove more material from the residual waste stream.
“At the same time, we are delighted to be proposing the expansion of our textile recycling service across the entire Vale following a successful trial in Barry. Every item recycled is one less item going into a black bag, helping us reduce waste, increase recycling and support our Project Zero and environmental objectives.
“These changes would make it easier for residents to recycle more, waste less and play their part in helping the Vale remain one of Wales’ leading recycling authorities.”
Residents wanting to use the proposed AHP service would need to register with the Council in advance.
Those registered would receive a collection on their normal weekly recycling and waste collection day. The service would only accept absorbent hygiene products and could not be used for other black bag waste.
The proposals are intended to address the difficulties some households face storing hygiene products between the Council’s three-weekly residual waste collections.
Alongside the new service, the Council is proposing to expand its kerbside textile recycling scheme across the Vale following a trial in Barry.
The expanded service would give more residents the opportunity to recycle unwanted clothing, shoes and household textiles from their homes.
The Council said the Barry trial has seen strong public participation and demonstrated the potential for the service to increase recycling rates.
Both proposals form part of the Council’s Recycling and Waste Management Strategy, which aims to reduce residual waste, increase recycling participation, cut carbon emissions and move towards a more circular economy.
Further details, including information on how residents can register for the proposed AHP collection service, will be made available ahead of the planned November launch if the proposals are approved.
