Why are these changes being proposed?
Due to the introduction of the Welsh Government’s new Workplace Recycling Regulations 2024, all businesses are now required to separate trade recycling from general (non-recyclable) waste. With the new practices in places, this should result in less general waste being produced by businesses.
By moving trade general waste to 3- weekly, we can use the same vehicles that collect domestic general waste. Reducing the vehicles for the collection of trade general waste and re-purposing these with the aim of improving weekly trade recycling services, should ensure that both businesses and RCT’s trade waste services, are compliant with the new Regulations, thus avoiding unnecessary fines for non-compliance. It also prevents RCT from needing additional vehicles and reduces our carbon footprint.
When will these changes be introduced?
The proposed changes may be implemented from Monday 4th November 2024.
Will there be any changes to my collection day?
Not necessarily. Should we need to change your collection day, we will notify you prior to any change(s) taking place.
Why have your charges changed?
The new charges are based on a monthly service cost as opposed to weekly.
Why do charges go up every year?
Processing costs well as the costs associated with waste collections, has increased every year for the past 5 years. This also includes indirect costs for example the price of trade wheelie bins and brown bags. The Council therefore needs to increase the charges to cover the costs associated with collections.
How can I keep my costs down?
By recycling more, customers should see a significant reduction in the amount of trade waste being disposed of. This could result in the size/number of trade waste bins being reduced and/or the number of brown trade waste bags being used. The cost of the trade recycling service(s) with RCT are such, that this should result in a substantial saving on trade waste charges.
Existing recycling customers can also reduce costs by recycling cardboard with RCT free of charge.
If I choose to continue with the trade waste bin service with RCT, what adjustments to the trade waste bin service account will be made (as I have paid in full up to 31/3/25, or, have a monthly DD arrangement in place)?
Should you choose to continue with the trade waste bin service with RCT, then your account will be reviewed and adjusted, as necessary and records and the account would be updated.
What are the trade waste collection costs?
The current trade waste charges are shown here. The proposed trade waste charges are shown here.
There are no changes to the trade recycling costs.
Will trade recycling stay as a weekly service?
Yes – there would be no change to the frequency of the trade recycling service. Should it be necessary to change the day of collection, customers who are affected would be notified prior to any change(s) taking place.
How can I recycle more?
RCT provides weekly trade recycling services to businesses – blue bags (paper/card) and red bags (plastics/containers - rinsed out). A trade food recycling service can be set up by visiting the RCT website.
Existing recycling customers can also recycle their cardboard with RCT free of charge.
Where can I get recycling bags from?
Trade recycling bags (blue – paper/card, red – plastics & containers – rinsed out), can be purchased in larger quantities on-line (delivery charge applies). Smaller quantities can be purchased from any of the RCT Libraries.
Will I be given extra bins to cover less collections and how will I store these?
Should there be a need, after separating all recyclable items from the trade waste, additional bin(s) can be requested, but that will incur additional charge(s) for the extra collection of the additional bin(s) at the rate for the size of each bin requested.
Due to less collections of trade waste, will this encourage more fly-tipping?
All business owners are responsible for the safe management and disposal of trade waste/recycling and are required to dispose of their waste and/or recycling legally. They also have a legal duty of care to make sure their waste is handled safely and only passed to ‘people’ authorised to receive it. If waste/recycling is collected by anyone else, it is the responsibility of the business to make sure that they are a registered waste carrier and that they are taking your waste to a site authorised to accept it.
Failure to comply may result in fines/prosecution.
How do I cancel collections with RCT?
Should you wish to cancel a trade waste bin service with RCT, this can be done by providing one month’s notice in writing. This can be done by e-mail to: traderecyclingandwaste@rctcbc.gov.uk
What will happen if RCT does not meet Welsh Government’s recycling target of 70%?
If a Welsh Council such as RCT does not met Welsh Government’s recycling target of 70% by 2024/25, the Council will receive financial penalties. These are financial pressures that Councils like RCT want to avoid in order to protect other essential services, hence why these changes are being introduced.
Do I have to have my waste collected by RCT?
No, your trade waste can be collected by any registered collector, including RCT.
Can I have my general waste collected by another provider and just have my recycling collected by RCT?
Yes. Existing recycling customers also get free cardboard collections.
Can you help with queries about recycling or reducing bin sizes?
Yes. You can make an appointment with one of our experienced Awareness Officers to discuss how you can recycle more.