Council crackdown on misuse of community recycling sites

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is set to get tough on irresponsible users of its community recycling sites.

 

With flytipping continuing to be a big problem, council enforcement officers are carrying out regular checks, and anyone identified to be dumping rubbish (such as the example of misuse pictured here) could face a £75 fine. Signs have been installed to remind users of the possible penalty and CCTV cameras are in operation at many sites to catch offenders.

 

Misuse of recycling siteThe council provides 47 sites for residents to recycle a range of household materials and, whilst the majority are used properly, there are instances of misuse.

 

Operational manager (waste management and cleansing) Clifford Parish explained: “We are currently reviewing all our community recycling sites as we are having to clean some of them on a daily basis due to people leaving their domestic rubbish and non-recyclable materials behind. In addition to being a waste of council tax payers’ money, it isn’t fair on those who use the facilities properly or the site owners.

 

"In addition to general rubbish, we are finding large amounts of cardboard at the sites. We provide free kerbside collections of paper, glass, cans, plastic, cardboard and garden waste for residents so would urge everyone to use these. We appreciate that some residents prefer to use recycling banks rather than our kerbside service but, if problems persist, we will have to take enforcement against anyone misusing the sites."

 

The most problematic sites include Tesco and Cliff Top (Penarth), Tesco (Culverhouse Cross), and Waitrose, Morrisons and Gladstone Road (Barry).

 

Businesses can also use the council's kerbside recycling service by purchasing recycling bags from the council offices in Barry (Civic Offices), Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth (£22.17 for a bundle of 25 bags); contact the council for the collection day.

 

For further details, please call the council's contact centre on 01446 700111, or e-mail c1v@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.  

 

04/04/2008