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Three Weekly Collections FAQs

We know that you may have some questions about the changes and have looked to provide some answers to them below.

Content:

Q. How will the rules change?

Under the new rules;

Houses with a 240l (large) wheelie bin can put out the bin (lid closed) for collection. No additional black bags will be collected.
 
Houses with a 120l (small) wheelie bin can put out the bin for collection, plus one standard black bag (70l max) to the side/on top.
 
Households that use black bags can put out a maximum of THREE standard black bags (70l max) every three weeks.
 
Dry recycling, nappy recycling, food waste recycling and green waste recycling will remain unlimited and will be collected every week. (green waste is collected weekly from April to October).

Q. Why are you making these changes?

We need to increase recycling rates to meet the Welsh Government target of 70% by 2024/25. The current recycling rate in RCT is 67.48%. If we fail to reach this target, we could be fined £140,000 for every 1% we fail to reach annually. At an already difficult time, this vast sum of money could result in services being cut or affected to pay the fines.

Q. When would the new rules come into force?

The three-weekly collections will be introduced across Rhondda Cynon Taf, week commencing Monday 3rd July 2023.

Every household will shortly receive an individual letter that confirms their start date and if there are any collection day changes.  Each resident will receive around 4 weeks’ notice of the changes (where possible).

Q. How will I store my filled black bags for up to three weeks? 

On average, almost half of the contents put in black bags are recyclable. If you recycle all you can using our recycling collections every week, you’ll have less non-recyclable waste to put out to be collected in your black bags. This means you should have fewer filled black bags to store until your next collection.

You may also choose to store your filled black bags in a dustbin or wheeled bin, then move the bags to your collection point before 7am on your collection day.

Q. What if I have a wheelie bin but live in the Rhondda, or have black bag collections and live in Taff/Cynon? Will my method of collection change?

There is no change in the method of collection. We don't collect wheelie bins from the Rhondda. If you live in Cynon or Taf areas you can either place your wheelie bin or three black bags out for collection every three weeks.

Q. What happens if people put things in my waste bin after I’ve put it out for collection, or people put their waste outside my house so it looks like it’s part of my waste? Will I be penalised?

Please contact the Council if you are aware of this happening, with as much information as possible so we can investigate. You will not be penalised if it is not your fault.

Q. What can and can’t be recycled? The list on the website isn’t comprehensive enough.

The A-Z recycling search will help.

If you have an item that does not feature on our A-Z please contact us on recycling@rctcbc.gov.uk for advice and so we can add the information to the A-Z to help others!

Q. If we have the standard wheelie bin – please can we request to have the larger bin?

We no longer stock large bins for domestic use. As a result the large bins will be phased out over time. It would be too costly to remove all those in circulation in one go.

Q. Some weeks I have more than three black bags – is there somewhere I can take them?

It’s worth checking there is nothing else in your black bags that could be recycled. Use our A-Z to assist if you are not sure which bag to place an item in. 

There is no limit on how much recycling you can put out every week! 

Non-recyclable waste can be taken to Community Recycling Centres for disposal. 

Please be aware staff on site will check your bags and refuse to accept them if there are recyclable items including food and nappies in them. 

If you regularly have an excess of black bags due to personal circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. Can the Council offer an incentive to reward household for recycling?

The reward for recycling is protecting our environment and planet for future generations, and avoiding fines if we don't meet Welsh Government recycling targets.

Q. Will Council Tax go down if we are making the effort to recycle more?

No. The Council still provides a weekly recycling collection service to enable residents to dispose of their waste, with additional services including nappies, green waste, food waste and Community Recycling Centres. 

Savings made will help protect Council services at a time when 10% inflation means the cost of running services is increasing.

Q. I’m a carer and need to dispose of gloves, aprons and other medical clothing items – where do these go?

These can be disposed of in your black bag or wheelie bin.

Q. Are there any mitigating circumstances – for instance, someone with a disability or households which need to dispose of ash/pet waste?

There is flexibility for residents who have specific circumstances or difficulties complying with the changes. 

You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

You can request an Assisted Collection online.

Q. If the packaging states that it is non-recyclable – does this go in black bag waste?

Yes, but keep checking the packets as there are new technologies in recycling everyday, making more items recyclable.

Q. Will we be able to get recycling bags from more places across the County Borough?

You can collect recycling bags from a number of distribution points across the County Borough. We are always looking to add new outlets and update the list regularly.

Q. How are the Council going to check for recyclables in black bag waste? Will they conduct bag searches?

We are focused on residents who do not recycle and continually place recyclable materials in their black bag or bin. 

We don’t intended to search everyone’s bins to look for recyclable items. We can see who is doing their best to recycle, based on what they are putting out for collection - if you are recycling as much as you can, you have nothing to worry about.

Q. How did you select this new system?

This system mainly impacts households that are not recycling. It has little impact on residents who already recycle. This system has proved successful in many other council areas.

Q. What happens if my bin is stolen?

The option to order a replacement bin is available here.

Q. How do I start recycling food?

Our food waste recycling scheme is free to join and we provide weekly collections, you can sign up online at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/foodwaste.

Q. How do I start recycling nappies?

Nappy recycling is free and we provide a free weekly collection service, you can sign up online at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/nappyrecycling.

Q. Can I put out double waste next time if I missed my collection last time?

No, however if you have special circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. I run a local business from home and will not manage these new procedures. What can I do?

Businesses must use Trade Waste/Recycling services either with the Council or a commercial service provider.  Using the domestic collection service for trade waste could result in you being fined.

Q. Will I still have my agreed assisted collection, due to my disability/inability to get to my normal bin collection point?

Yes, any agreement that is currently in place to assist with the collection of bags/bins will remain.

If you dont have an agreement in place, but feel that the new changes will now mean you require an assisted collection, you can request an Assisted Collection online.

Q. What size black bags will be collected?

3 standard black bags (70l) will be collected - no excessively large black bags or wheelie bin liner size/industrial size black bags will be collected.

Q. Do the bags have to be black?

Yes.  The crews do not want to collect a bag intended for charity by mistake and the use of black bags for non-recyclable waste removes any confusion.

Q. What happens if we don’t achieve the targets?

The Council will face significant annual fines of £140,000 for every 1% below the 70% target for recycling set by Welsh Government. At an already difficult time, this vast sum of money could result in services being cut or affected to pay the fines.

Q. Under what act can you force me to recycle?

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act of 2005 and the Environmental Protection Act of 1990.

Q. How are you going to manage communal bin collection points?

We will work with residents and landlords - social and private, to ensure everyone is aware of the rules and are recycling as much as they can. 

Where there is clear abuse of the system, we will investigate and take enforcement action where necessary.

Q. Will you expect residents with disabilities such as visual impairments and dementia to comply with these restrictions?

We are aware there will be residents who need additional support due to their personal circumstances.

You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

You can request an Assisted Collection online.

Q. I have a 120L bin, my neighbour has a 240L bin, why am I being penalised for having a standard bin?

On average over 80% of household waste is recyclable and the changes do not intend to penalise anyone who is already recycling as much as they can.  

A 120l bin, plus 1 additional black bag is considered ample for non-recyclable waste and all new bins we issue are 120l.We are aware there are households with 240l bins and these will be replaced with smaller bins as new ones are requested. Households with 240l bins will not be allowed to put out an additional black bag.

Q. I live in the Rhondda; due to the changes can we have wheelie bins like the Cynon and Taff areas?

No – this would not be practical for the Council’s collections due to the landscape of large parts of the Rhondda.

Q. As a Rhondda resident I pay Council Tax just as other areas, are the Council going to provide me with refuse bags just as they offer bins in other areas?

No, but the Council will continue to provide free recycling bags, nappy bags and food waste bags, caddies and bins - as well as free weekly collection - which many other Councils don’t do.

Q. I have a coal fire/wood burner and produce ashes, am I entitled to place out extra waste?

We know there will be households with a range of circumstances that mean they will struggle to adhere to the refuse limit. We will endeavour to be as flexible and reasonable as we can be. 

You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

You can request an Assisted Collection online.

Q. I have several cats and cannot recycle cat litter, am I entitled to place out extra sacks like those with ashes?

Unfortunately, cat litter is not recyclable, this is a matter out of our control. 

Animal waste e.g. dogs, cats will need to be placed in a bag, tied and placed in your black bag and placed out for collection. You can also take black bags of animal waste to your nearest Community Recycling Centre. 

 If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. How do I dispose of medical waste?

We appreciate there are some residents who have specific needs. Clinical Waste is collected by Cwm Taf University Health Board. 

Clinical Waste includes:

Medical sharps - (needles, syringes or other sharp instruments) - stored in yellow sharps bins

Hazardous clinical waste - (dressings or bandages contaminated with blood and dialysis waste) - stored in orange clinical waste bags

Incontinence pads and stoma, catheter/colostomy waste does not fall under Clinical Waste collection - this waste must be disposed of in your domestic black bag.

If you require a clinical waste collection please contact the Health Courier Services in Bridgend on 0300 123 9208.

You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online

You can request an Assisted Collection online.

Q. I have a STOMA bag and this is causing me to overfill my bags, what can I do?

We appreciate there are some residents who have specific needs. If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, You can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. What happens if my bags are not collected on the scheduled day?

If you placed your bags out before 7am on collection day, please leave them where they are, and we will collect as soon as possible - you can report a missed collection at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/missedcollection

Q. Where I live, we have a compound/collection point, how will the changes affect me?

You will be subject to the same rules and changes as everyone else.

Q. What items are supposed to be put out in my waste bags that cannot be recycled?

We estimate up to 80% of household waste- including nappies, food and green waste can be recycled. Please visit our A-Z search tool to find out more.

Q. What can and can’t be Recycled?

Our A-Z search tool has lots of information - please let us know if an item is missing from the list so we can add it for the benefit of others.

Q. Will we be allowed to place an extra allowance of waste bags out at Christmas?

See website/social media channels for seasonal information

Q. How can I manage my waste effectively?

Recycle all you can and participate in the Council’s full range of services – weekly recycling, food waste scheme, weekly green, weekly nappy/incontinence waste (by registration), use CRC’s for other recyclable items.

Q. Am I allowed to have a 240L bin like others in my street?

No – whilst it is recognised that there are 2 different size bins it is not economical to replace all bins with the same size at once. The Council no longer issues 240l bins and these will naturally be phased out over time.

Q. Why should I pay for a new bin when you have reduced my services?

There is no service reduction as we still provide a FREE, UNLIMITED, weekly recycling collection service for the majority of your household waste.

Q. I live in the Rhondda and would like to purchase a wheelie bin for my black bag waste. Can I do this?

No.

Q. Am I allowed to repair my own wheelie bin if it gets broken?

Yes, provided the repair is suitable and the bin is fit for purpose.

Q. What is RCT doing to fine/work with those organisations who produce non-recyclable containers?

There is growing public appetite for reducing the amount of non-recyclable plastic and packaging in the food industry.

This is a matter for the UK Government and the industry, not the Council. However, we will continue to work with partner agencies to make a difference where we can.

Q. What do we do about cat litter? Can this be recycled?

Unfortunately, cat litter is not recyclable, even if the product is labelled as organic. 

Animal waste e.g. dogs, cats will need to be placed in a black bag and placed out for collection. You can also take black bags of animal waste to your nearest Community Recycling Centre.  

If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. I have a lot of animals – what do I do with their waste?

Animal waste needs to be placed into a bag, tied and placed in your black bag waste and placed out for collection.You can also take black bags of animal waste to your nearest CRC

Used sawdust bedding from small, hutch animals e.g. guinea pigs, rabbits, mice can be recycled. Please place into your GREEN reusable sack and we will collect this as part of your green weekly collection service. 

Sign up to Green Waste Recycling here.

If you are struggling to adhere to the limits due to a personal circumstances, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. The bags say you can put polystyrene in them – please can you confirm that you take this?

Polystyrene is accepted as kerbside recycling (alternatively you can take larger pieces e.g. packaging for a TV , etc to your nearest CRC)

Q. Will there be a fly-tipping increase?

Changing collection frequency and or limiting black bag allowances should not affect fly-tipping levels - there is no excuse for such offences. 

Much of the fly-tipping we clear includes furniture, household appliances and building waste, which would not be collected on the kerbside.

If you can drive to a mountain or a lane to dump it, you can drive to a CRC to dispose of it for FREE and avoid a hefty fine when caught. 

We have also made it clear we will be as accommodating as we can and if you have reasonable personal circumstances why you will struggle with the limit, please make contact. 

Disposal of such items would be through the CRCs or a pre-booked bulky waste collection. 

The limit we have placed on refuse collections is based on the fact 80 per cent of household waste can be recycled - including nappies, food and green waste. 

If you are recycling as much as possible, the limit should be ample. 

We are aware there are personal circumstances that may affect a household's ability to adhere to the limits and you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. How can I recycle small animal Waste e.g. used bedding sawdust?

Used sawdust bedding from small, hutch animals e.g. guinea pigs, rabbits, mice can be recycled. Please place into your GREEN reusable sack and we will collect this as part of your garden/green weekly collection service.

Sign up to Green Waste Recycling here.

Q. Will there be an increased smell and additional vermin?

Rats and vermin are attracted to food waste in black bags and, if you are using the full range of weekly recycling services, particularly food waste, there should be very little in your black bag waste that would smell or attract additional pests. If you would like to sign up to food waste recycling you can do this online

We are here to help and advise residents on how to recycle and if you feel you will struggle with the proposed changes you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. What about larger families who already recycle as much as possible but will still struggle with the changes?

We estimate that 80% of household waste is recyclable and dry recycling, nappy recycling, food waste recycling and green waste recycling will remain unlimited and will be collected every week. Houses with a 120l (small) wheelie bin can put out the bin for collection, plus one additional standard black bag (70l max) to the side/on top. 

Houses with a 240l (large) wheelie bin can put out the bin (lid closed) for collection. No additional black bags will be collected. 

Households that use black bags can put out a maximum of THREE standard black bags (70l max) every three weeks. 

We believe that if you are recycling as much as you can, then this should be ample for non-recyclable waste. However if you feel you would struggle, you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. How is this value for money in terms of my Council Tax?

The Council still provides a weekly recycling collection service to enable residents to dispose of their waste, with additional services including nappies, green waste, food waste and Community Recycling Centres.

Q. I have an agreed Additional Black Bag Allowance, will this remain?

If you have an existing agreement in place, this will remain the same.

Q. Why are we using single use clear bags?

As part of the changes there will be a trial of reusable recycling sacks for the collection of dry mixed recycling. If successful it is hoped that this will save millions of Clear recycling bags. However clear recycling bags are sent for recycling after use and are made from recycled plastic. 

The reusable sack trial will be piloted in specific identified areas.

Q. What about re-usable sacks for recycling?

As part of the changes there will be a trial of reusable recycling sacks for the collection of dry mixed recycling. This will be a pilot in specific identified areas.

Q. How can I apply for Additional Black Bag Allowance?

We are aware there are personal circumstances that may affect a household's ability to adhere to the limits and you can request an Additional Black Bags Allowance online.

Q. Will my collection day change?

There will be a number of recycling and black bag/wheelie bin collection day changes across Rhondda Cynon Taf and it is likely that your collections day MAY change. This is to ensure that collection routes are planned in the most effective and efficient way to reduce our carbon footprint, whilst still delivering a FULL weekly recycling service. Information will be directly sent to you in advance of the changes to let you know.

Please Note: Nappy collection days will stay the same as they are not affected by these changes.

Q.What if I go on holiday and will miss my collection?

If you will be on holidays and are unable to place your items out for collection, please ask your family, friends or neighbours if they could put it out and take it back in for you. Alternatively you can take up to 3 black bags to your local Community Recycling Centre for disposal - please note, that officers may ask you about the content of your black bags and if they contain recyclable waste, you could be refused. All other recycling streams would need to sorted and disposed of via your weekly kerbside collections.  You may also be refused if noted that you are regularly visiting the Community Recycling Centres to dispose of general black bag waste.