Twenty thousand households – just over a third of the area’s residents – are now covered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s kerbside kitchen waste recycling scheme.
Successfully up and running for just over a year, the scheme has been the subject of a phased roll out, and the current third stage means the whole of Penarth and Dinas Powys is now covered. Existing ‘kitchen waste’ areas – Barry Island, St Athan and camp, Sully and Lavernock – have also been joined by the villages of Michaelston le Pit and Leckwith.
Since the scheme’s launch when 7,500 homes were involved, the council has collected more than 665 tonnes of kitchen waste – equivalent to more than 50 red double decker buses – for recycling from kerbside caddies.
Thanking residents across the Vale for their enthusiastic response, cabinet member for visible and building services Cllr Geoff Cox said: “A year into the scheme and a mammoth amount has been diverted from landfill and, instead, recycled and turned into a soil enhancer. The response by the majority of residents has been amazing and they have truly embraced the essence of the scheme.
“Similarly, the visible services team has worked hard to ensure a smooth transition in the way the waste is being collected.
“We would ask residents now coming on board to show similar enthusiasm and ensure that the scheme continues to be a success.”
Head of visible services Miles Punter said: “There has been a very good response so far. Changes can also provide challenges and I must thank residents who have so keenly supported the council to embrace this Welsh Assembly Government initiative. We must reach a 12 per cent kitchen wase reycycling target by 2013 or risk facing hefty fines.
“We are hopefully on track to roll out the kitchen waste recycling scheme to all residents by the end of next year.”
All residents are provided with a kerbside caddy, a kitchen caddy and a supply of small biodegradable corn starch liner bags. Kitchen waste is collected on a weekly basis, with black bag collections on alternate weeks.
Members of the kitchen waste crew have been visiting residents to raise the profile of the scheme but, if you’ve not been in when they’ve called and would like a visit, email [email protected] or telephone 01446 700111.
More information can be found by visisting the council’s recycling pages.
