Four-weekly residual waste collections have begun as part of a year-long trial in Conwy to encourage residents to recycle more.
The council first proposed the trial in February this year and is the first to run a four-weekly residual waste collection in Wales.
The council had originally proposed a four weekly collection for all residents, but following a resident survey, Conwy opted to collect its residual waste every three weeks, but said it would trial four-weekly collections.
The option for reducted collection came about following a council report states the council faces a £14m reduction in its budget for 2016/17, and collecting residual waste every four weeks presents an opportunity to save £558,000 per year.
“Respondents also confirmed that they could manage accordingly if refuse was collected less frequently and recycling collected weekly.”
Analysis has shown that more than 50% of waste thrown into wheeled bins could have been recycled, costing Conwy’s taxpayers £1.6m per year.
Conwy currently recycles 59% of all its waste, with the 2015/16 statutory recycling target of 58% expected to be met. However, the county has a long way to go to meet targets of 64% by 2019/20 and 70% by 2024/25.
Three of Wales’ 22 councils currently have three-weekly collections of residual waste.
Conwy councillor Dave Cowans said: “More than 11,000 householders replied [to the survey], with the majority agreeing that the council should take steps to reduce waste.
“Respondents also confirmed that they could manage accordingly if refuse was collected less frequently and recycling collected weekly.”
Conservative Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said the plans would lead to a rise in fly-tipping, litter and pest control incidents, according to the BBC.
“I don’t want that laid at the door of the local authority, and that’s why I want them to step back from these proposals and to crack on with the fortnightly collections that people have now,” he said.
He said Conwy council could do more to increase recycling rates without cutting collections, adding: “… I think it’s wrong that people are paying more and more in council tax and actually getting less and less in services – they feel ripped off.”
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