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Waste and recycling consultation
Published: 26/09/2019
The Council’s Cabinet agreed a public consultation exercise on the future direction of the waste and recycling service at its meeting on Tuesday, 24 September.
The consultation will take place between 25 September and 31 October 2019 which will:
- Inform service users on current recycling success
- Inform service users about what happens to recyclable items
- Explain why a review is needed
- Gain information on current recycling behaviours
- Consider options for service changes that will maximise the potential for recycling
Information is available on the Council website where residents will be asked to complete a short questionnaires to have their views heard. Public consultation events will also take place throughout the County where Officers of the Council will be available to discuss all matters recycling.
Working to the Council’s own Municipal Waste Strategy, the Council’s recycling performance has exceed the statutory targets each year since 2014, with the latest performance figures of 69% for 2018/2019 almost at the level of 70% required by 2024/2025.
Welsh Government is currently reviewing its national policies with a view to revising future targets following an analysis of the composition of waste materials which has shown that items such as cans, plastic bottles and food waste are still ending up in residual waste bins rather than being recycled.
Flintshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, Councillor Carolyn Thomas, said:
“Along with other Welsh Councils, we follow Welsh Government’s Blueprint regarding recycling. Flintshire is 3rd best in Wales, Wales is 3rd best in the word; we have achieved our target of 70% five years early. The success is down to a partnership between Welsh Government, the Council and residents and I would like to thank Flintshire residents for their huge part in this.
“However, we have reached a crossroads. From next year, we need to do a round review to incorporate new developments and also transportation of the residual waste to the new energy from waste facility, Parc Adfer. Now is the time to incorporate any changes to the way we collect waste, be it frequency or more enforcement plus education to increase recycling.
“It is often highlighted at regional meetings that we are out of line with other authorities that are looking at less frequent residual waste collections. Although we are extremely efficient, we need to at least consider this.
“Our current waste strategy comes to an end in 2025 and we will plateau and not reach the next target without a review. We also need more residents to recycle their food waste; it goes to a nearby facility where it is turned into electricity and liquid fertiliser.
“Welsh Government is looking at reviewing their Blueprint, possibly excluding rubble and wood in the future which will have a negative impact on our recycling target.
“Pressure from campaign groups is rightly growing with climate change being a real concern.
“Welsh Government is asking local authorities if we will separate AHP (absorbent Health Product) collections including nappies as part of less frequent collections.
“Governments are also looking at new legislation including “producer responsibility” and Welsh Government is currently consulting on targets for business recycling, not just household recycling.
“We understand that one service does not fit all and that in some areas there needs to be a different approach.
“I encourage all residents to take part in the consultation to have their say on the future of the recycling and waste services.”
Public engagement events will be held at the following locations.
- Buckley Connects Centre Monday 7 October, 10am-2pm
- Mold Connects Centre Wednesday 9 October, 10am-2pm
- Flint Connects Centre Friday 11 October, 10am-2pm
- Connah’s Quay Connects Centre Tuesday 15 October, 10am-2pm
- Holywell Connects Centre Thursday 17 October, 10am-2pm