TEMPLATE AND GUIDANCE – SCRUTINY REPORTS 2006-
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7
CLEANER OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
23 JULY 2014
RESIDUAL WASTE CAPACITY - COLLECTION OPTIONS TO ASSIST IN REACHING WELSH GOVERNMENT RECYCLING TARGETS – OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION
Report Submitted and Written by: Dana Eynon, Head of Property, Streetscene and Waste
|1. |Area Affected |
| | |
| |Whole borough. |
| | |
|2. |Purpose of Report |
| | |
| |To update Committee on the outcome of public consultation and to seek Committee’s views on the proposed next steps in advance of |
| |Council decision. |
| | |
|3. |Suggested scrutiny activity |
| | |
|3.1 |Committee should provide comment on the appropriateness of the consultation process undertaken. |
| | |
| |Committee should provide comment on whether the recommendations being made to Council are appropriate and whether officers have |
|3.2 |adequately considered the views expressed by residents and others during the consultation period. |
| | |
| | |
|4. |Background |
| | |
|4.1 |Committee will recall receiving a report entitled “Residual Waste Capacity – collection options to assist in reaching Welsh |
| |Government recycling targets” at its meeting on 9th April 2014. |
| | |
|4.2 |The 9th April report highlighted the future statutory recycling targets the Council had to meet and outlined work undertaken by |
| |officers to consider how those targets could be met in order to avoid significant financial penalties. The report stated that with |
| |current service provision, the Council would not be able to meet future statutory targets and therefore the status quo was not an |
| |option. The report highlighted that reviewing residual waste collection was an integral part of the Waste Strategy agreed by |
| |Cabinet. |
| | |
|4.3 |The analysis undertaken by officers had involved the commissioning of an independent consultant by Welsh Government who was tasked |
| |with modelling the impact on household waste of reducing the black bin capacity available to residents, and various means by which |
| |that reduction could be achieved. Restricting residual waste capacity had been proven to structurally encourage residents to |
| |recycle, and Committee heard of the experiences of Monmouthshire County Council who had been the first Council in Wales to agree a |
| |restriction. Committee also heard from Newport City Council which was in the process of rolling out ‘skinny’ bins. Neither council |
| |had consulted with its residents on the method of reducing residual bin capacity. |
| | |
|4.4 |The 9th April report provided three main proposals it was suggested be the subject of consultation with elected members, residents |
| |and staff, with a view to one of the proposals being chosen by Council as the preferred option. |
| | |
|4.5 |As part of the 9th April report, officers made a number of assumptions, and Committee: |
| |endorsed the assumption that maximising recycling should be the primary driver for making any service change and felt they had a |
| |moral obligation to do so; |
| |agreed with the assumption that there should be no charge for the collection of green waste; |
| |felt strongly that food caddy liners should be introduced at the same time as any other changes implemented; |
| |felt unable to provide a view on the three proposed options until further information was provided to a small Committee working group|
| |and this was fed back to the rest of Committee; |
| |felt that an enforcement policy could not be introduced at least until the preferred option was decided and only then as a last |
| |resort. Education and awareness was key and the topic would be put forward at the next visioning session as a future subject for |
| |Committee to scrutinize; |
| | |
|4.6 |Following the 9th April meeting, a small Committee working group was formed and met with officers to better understand the audit |
| |trail between the independent consultant’s report, which considered the impact on household waste, and the scrutiny report by the |
| |officers, which had also taken into consideration the overall and holistic impact on any changes proposed on the other waste streams |
| |collected by the council, including that collected at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| | |
|4.7 |Committee considered the outcome of the small Committee working groups’ work at a meeting on 8th May 2014 and concluded that the |
| |process taken to identify a new approach to the way the Council deals with residual (black bin) waste capacity was clear and robust, |
| |and the proposals put forward were based on sound evidence from the criteria used. |
| | |
|4.8 |Committee also felt able to support the Executive Member in presenting the proposals to a member seminar and other forms of |
| |consultation as long as they were able to view the communication and consultation plan together with the information to be provided |
| |to the public. |
| | |
|4.9 |Committee therefore supported the three proposals put forward for consultation and the process taken to get to those proposals. |
| |However, the Committee had a clear recommendation that food caddy liners should be introduced at the same time as any changes are |
| |implemented. The Executive Member in his response advised that Committee’s view had been explicitly incorporated into the member |
| |seminar and would be included in the final decision report, however, it was his view that the consultation should focus on the three |
| |proposals. A specific question on food caddy liners was not therefore included but a question on food recycling and what might |
| |encourage residents to further recycle food was, which provided residents with an opportunity to ask about food caddy liners. |
| | |
|4.10 |This report therefore provides an update and outcome of the communication and consultation to date. |
| | |
|5. |Decisions to be made |
| | |
|5.1 |The decision on reducing residual capacity and which method should be employed to do so will be made by Council in the autumn of |
| |2014. A further member seminar is likely to be held in advance of that decision. |
| | |
| |Any decision made by Council will be in support of an existing corporate priority to increase recycling and reduce waste disposal. |
|5.2 | |
| | |
|6. |Expected outcomes |
| | |
|6.1 |The expected outcome of this report is a view expressed by Committee, which will be incorporated into the decision report. |
| | |
| |The expected outcome of reducing residual capacity will be: |
|6.2 |Reduced residual waste being presented at the kerbside by residents; |
| |Greater quantities of recycling waste being presented at the kerbside by residents; |
| |A dramatic rise in the Council’s recycling rate; |
| |A reduction in treatment costs as less material is being sent for disposal; |
| |Increased participation in Council recycling schemes. |
| | |
|7. |Issues and Findings |
| | |
|7.1 |This section outlines the communication and consultation undertaken to date and the results thereof. Attached at Appendix A is the |
| |consultation documentation which was available in both English and Welsh. By way of reminder, the options presented were: |
| | |
| |Option A - Fortnightly bin collection but with a smaller, 140 litre wheelie bin |
| |Option B - Fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household |
| |Option C - Monthly bin collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin |
| | |
| |Questions were also asked about whether people recycle certain items, why they may not and what more the Council could do to |
| |encourage people to recycle. |
| | |
|7.2 |Elected Members |
| |An all member seminar was held on 12th May 2014 – the general view was that restricting residual capacity was necessary but there was|
| |some debate amongst members as to which option for reduction would be preferable; |
| | |
| |All members emailed a link to the consultation w/c 2nd June 2014; |
| | |
| |All town and community councils emailed a link to the consultation w/c 2nd June 2014, with an offer to attend individual |
| |town/community council meetings; |
| | |
| |Presentation to the Local Council’s Partnership Committee on 24th June 2014 – unfortunately, the meeting was not quorate. However, |
| |town/community councils had been emailed with details of the consultation and asked for their views. Any views expressed to date are|
| |shown below; |
| | |
| |Attended Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council meeting on 30th June 2014 – later expressed a preference for Option A – 140L |
| |skinny bin. A number of queries were raised and responded to at the meeting, which were in line with the comments received to date |
| |as part of the consultation and are covered in section 7.6; |
| | |
| |Attended Cwmbran Community Council meeting on 14th July 2014 – later expressed a consensus for Option A - 140L skinny bin although |
| |one councilor preferred Option C (monthly collection) because of the high set up costs. A number of queries were raised and |
| |responded to at the meeting, which were in line with the comments received to date as part of the consultation and are covered in |
| |section 7.6; |
| | |
| |Issue discussed by Pontypool Community Council (TCBC officers not present) – no clear preference expressed but a number of queries |
| |raised which will be responded to. The queries raised were in line with the comments received to date as part of the consultation |
| |and are covered in section 7.6. Although no clear preference was expressed, the least favoured option by the Community Council was |
| |Option C (monthly collection), followed by Option B (bag system); |
| | |
| |Ponthir Community Council has expressed a preference for Option A - 140L skinny bin; |
| | |
| |No response to date from either Blaenavon Town Council or Henllys Community Council. |
| | |
|7.3 |Residents |
| |My Say consultation launched on 2nd June with signposts from June’s edition of Torfaen Talks, the Council’s website and social media |
| |feeds. The MySay consultation page also gave residents the option of downloading a hard copy of the questionnaire if they preferred.|
| |Hardcopies of the consultation documents were also available at Council Offices and by request via Call Torfaen and this was |
| |advertised on social media. The results from the My Say consultation are attached at Appendix B, together with the a breakdown of |
| |the comments received to the questions about why people may not recycle and on what other services the Council could provide to |
| |encourage more waste to be recycled. |
| | |
| |In summary: |
| |There was a clear preference being expressed for Option A (skinny bin); |
| |50 comments/queries were received about operational matters (requests for more containers, crew complaints, etc.); |
| |21 comments were received about keeping the service as it was – some respondents had chosen an option if they had to but would prefer|
| |the status quo remained; |
| |83 comments were received about increasing the range of materials that could be recycled (some of which can currently be presented at|
| |the kerbside for collection); |
| |22 comments were received about fly-tipping; |
| |67 comments were received about enforcement/awareness, for example, why we just couldn’t target those who were not recycling; |
| |30 comments were received about the provision of free food bags (caddy liners); |
| |54 comments were received about having better or bigger recycling boxes; |
| |28 comments were received about having more recycling in town centres. |
| | |
| |Registered Social Landlords were emailed w/c 2nd June asking them to signpost their tenants to our consultation – all landlords |
| |responded very positively and encouraged their tenants to participate in the consultation. In addition, Bron Afon held a focus group|
| |with interested residents and the results of that focus group are proved in Appendix C. |
| | |
| |In summary: |
| |There was a clear preference being expressed for Option A (skinny bin); |
| |There were more ‘spoilt’ papers than by any other collection method; |
| |7 comments/queries were received about operational matters (requests for more containers, crew complaints, etc.); |
| |13 comments were received about keeping the service as it was – some respondents had chosen an option if they had to, but would |
| |prefer the status quo remained; |
| |6 comments were received about extending the recycling service to flats; |
| |7 comments were received about having more recycling in town centres. |
| | |
| |A link to the consultation was forwarded to the Torfaen People’s Panel w/c 2nd June 2014 and members of the panel would have |
| |responded using the MySay link. Some members of the panel did contact officers for further information and once that information was|
| |provided, felt able to make an informed choice; |
| | |
| |Live facebook question and answer sessions were held on Tuesday 10th June (6pm to 8pm), Thursday 12th June (1pm to 3.30pm), Wednesday|
| |25th June (2pm to 4pm) and Thursday 26th June (6pm to 8pm) – all of the comments received during those sessions, and the run up to |
| |those sessions are included in Appendix D. An analysis has been made of the comments made and included as a summary at the beginning|
| |of that Appendix which provides an indication of the themes of discussion. Committee should note that some residents commented more |
| |than once on the same subject, and only one comment has been counted. Similarly, some residents commented on many different items |
| |within the same post and so each comment about a different subject matter has been counted. The summary therefore is intended to be |
| |indicative. |
| | |
| |In summary: |
| |The facebook sessions received over 20,000 hits; |
| |There were approximately 76 comments/queries received about operational matters (requests for more containers, crew complaints, |
| |etc.); |
| |There were approximately 55 comments received about fly-tipping; |
| |There were approximately 55 comments received which claimed outright that none of the options would work; |
| |There were approximately 49 comments/queries received about the size of families and their ability to cope with any new arrangements.|
| | |
| |BBC Coverage – the BBC filmed the Executive Member (a family of two) and a family of four from New Inn over the course of one month. |
| |It was established that the family of four, who did make efforts to recycle, had a full black bin every week. However, a visit from |
| |a waste awareness officer highlighted they were not recycling food and were putting plastic items that could be recycled into their |
| |black wheelie bin. The BBC visited them again after they had been given advice and additional food waste containers, and found that |
| |at the end of the two weeks there was space left in the black wheelie bin. The family concluded that they could manage with a |
| |fortnightly collection with reduced capacity but were concerned they would not manage with a monthly collection. |
| | |
| |A number of roadshows were held which gave members of the public an opportunity to fill in consultation questionnaires and ask |
| |questions. The roadshows were also intended to raise awareness and further educate residents on recycling. The following is a list |
| |of all those road shows held. Some of the roadshows were held on weekends and later into the evening to maximize coverage. |
| |Committee should note that further roadshows are planned for July and August. |
| | |
| |Tuesday 10th June |
| |World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon |
| | |
| |Saturday 14th June |
| |Ysgol Bryn Onnen Fete |
| | |
| |Monday 16th June |
| |ASDA, Cwmbran |
| | |
| |Tuesday 17th June |
| |ASDA, Cwmbran |
| | |
| |Wednesday 18th June |
| |Pontypool Market and Pontypool Active Living Centre |
| | |
| |Thursday 19th June |
| |Tesco, Pontypool |
| | |
| |Friday 20th June |
| |Morrisons, Cwmbran |
| | |
| |Saturday 21st June |
| |Pontypool Active Living Centre |
| | |
| |Monday 23rd June |
| |Widdershins, Griffithstown |
| | |
| |Tuesday 24th June |
| |Garndiffaith Millennium Hall (lunch club) |
| |World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon |
| |Blaenavon Active Living Centre |
| | |
| |Wednesday 25th June |
| |Garndiffaith Millennium Hall (mother and toddler) |
| | |
| |Thursday 26th June |
| |Garndiffaith Millennium Hall (flying start/Talywain OAP) |
| | |
| |Friday 27th June |
| |Cwmbran Sustainability Event, Cwmbran Town Centre |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |The results of the questionnaires completed during the roadshows are attached at Appendix E. Committee should note that a far |
| |greater number of people were spoken to during these events than completed questionnaires. |
| | |
| |In summary: |
| |There was a clear preference being expressed for Option A (skinny bin); |
| |106 comments/queries were received about operational matters (requests for more containers, crew complaints, etc.); |
| |38 comments were received about increasing the range of materials that could be recycled (some of which are already collected at the |
| |kerbside); |
| |29 comments were received about enforcement/awareness, for example, why we just couldn’t target those who were not recycling; |
| |25 comments were received about the provision of free food bags (caddy liners); |
| |22 comments were received about having better or bigger recycling boxes. |
| | |
| |A number of forms were also returned to the Council directly. These are outlined in Appendix F and have been incorporated into the |
| |overall responses outlined in 7.5. |
| | |
|7.4 |Operational crews |
| |The operational crews were also consulted through early morning briefings and their views obtained from an operational perspective. |
| |Sessions were held on 20th June 2014 and 30th June 2014. |
| | |
| |The crews unanimously chose Option B (bags) and cited the following reasons for that choice: |
| |Less outlay, no need to buy new bins; |
| |Less maintenance on vehicles because the tail lift mechanism will no longer be needed; |
| |Having no bin lift would mean the vehicle would be lighter and so greater weight could be collected, which would mean more could be |
| |collected per round and fewer tips to the Waste Transfer Station; |
| |Quicker operation which would mean more could be collected per round; |
| |It would make life a lot easier for the operational crews. |
| | |
|7.5 |Overall |
| |Pulling all these responses together, the following table illustrates the clear view expressed, that is, 74% of all respondents have |
| |expressed a clear preference for Option A, which was a fortnightly collection with a new smaller 140 litre (skinny bin): |
| | |
| | |
| |Option |
| |Number Selected |
| |Percentage |
| | |
| |Option A Skinny Bins |
| |1105 |
| |75% |
| | |
| |Option B Bags |
| |99 |
| |7% |
| | |
| |Option C Monthly |
| |187 |
| |13% |
| | |
| |None/Spoilt |
| |91 |
| |6% |
| | |
| |Total |
| |1482 |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |However 15 respondents indicated that they wished to disregard their choice in Question 1 |
| | |
| |Option |
| |Number Selected |
| | |
| |Option A Skinny Bins |
| |12 |
| | |
| |Option B Bags |
| |1 |
| | |
| |Option C Monthly |
| |1 |
| | |
| |None/Spoilt |
| |1 |
| | |
| |Total |
| |15 |
| | |
| | |
| |As a result the results are amended as follows |
| | |
| |Option |
| |Number Selected |
| |Percentage |
| | |
| |Option A Skinny Bins |
| |1093 |
| |74% |
| | |
| |Option B Bags |
| |98 |
| |7% |
| | |
| |Option C Monthly |
| |186 |
| |13% |
| | |
| |None/Spoilt |
| |105 |
| |7% |
| | |
| |Total |
| |1482 |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |A ‘spoilt’ paper is one where the respondent has not chosen any of the three options (or all of them) but has made comment, usually |
| |in favour of keeping the status quo. These comments will be captured as part of the analysis of all comments received, later in the |
| |report. |
| | |
| |Question Two asked respondents to comment on whether they participated in all the kerbside collection methods and the following table|
| |provides a breakdown of their responses. |
| | |
| |Collection System |
| |Respondents Participating |
| |Percentage |
| | |
| |Cardboard |
| |1298 |
| |88% |
| | |
| |Food |
| |1110 |
| |75% |
| | |
| |Green |
| |1277 |
| |86% |
| | |
| |Black Box |
| |1398 |
| |94% |
| | |
| |Not Recycling |
| |65 |
| |4% |
| | |
| |Total |
| |1482 |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |Committee should note that people are less likely to participate in food recycling than any other type of material. The reasons give|
| |are as below: |
| | |
| |Reason |
| |Number |
| | |
| |Not Collected |
| |5 |
| | |
| |No Caddy available |
| |36 |
| | |
| |Own Pets eat their food waste |
| |15 |
| | |
| |Live in Flats/Complex |
| |14 |
| | |
| |Flies/Maggots |
| |11 |
| | |
| |Rats/Cats/Dogs |
| |7 |
| | |
| |Messy/Smelly |
| |22 |
| | |
| |Would like liners |
| |11 |
| | |
| |No Food Waste Produced |
| |21 |
| | |
| |Home Compost their Waste |
| |21 |
| | |
| |Other |
| |24 |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |In response to Question Three which asked what other services the Council could provide to encourage more waste to be recycled, the |
| |following is a breakdown of the comments received. |
| | |
| | |
| |Subject |
| |Number of |
| |Comments/ |
| |Queries |
| | |
| |Query about nappies |
| |49 |
| | |
| |Concern of Size of family |
| |72 |
| | |
| |Will not work |
| |57 |
| | |
| |Operational comments, e.g., requests for new containers, crew complaints |
| |259 |
| | |
| |Keep collections as is |
| |73 |
| | |
| |Smaller bins |
| |17 |
| | |
| |Bags |
| |17 |
| | |
| |Monthly Collections |
| |17 |
| | |
| |Expand Recycling Collections |
| |171 |
| | |
| |Recycling for flats |
| |46 |
| | |
| |Recycling for businesses |
| |32 |
| | |
| |Recycling for schools |
| |14 |
| | |
| |Animal Waste |
| |34 |
| | |
| |Increase in Fly tipping |
| |88 |
| | |
| |Increase in pests (related to bag option) |
| |75 |
| | |
| |Enforcement/Awareness, e.g., more education and awareness and also why can’t we just fine those who don’t recycle |
| |129 |
| | |
| |Target big business |
| |12 |
| | |
| |Supply Free food bags |
| |69 |
| | |
| |Better recycling bins |
| |121 |
| | |
| |Have co-mingled collections |
| |49 |
| | |
| |Go to three weekly collection |
| |5 |
| | |
| |Have more recycling in town centres |
| |45 |
| | |
| |Comments about the financial costs (related to skinny bins) |
| |36 |
| | |
| |Having incentives |
| |15 |
| | |
| |Having an all Wales collection |
| |1 |
| | |
| | |
|7.6 |The main themes coming through from the comments/queries/questions were: |
| | |
|7.6.1 |Concerns/Queries about family size – we currently provide extra capacity for larger families (6 or more) and that will continue under|
| |whatever new system is chosen. We have found no evidence to date that families of 4 or 5 cannot cope with any of the systems |
| |proposed. We have offered to visit those who feel they cannot cope to assist them. Not many have taken us up on this offer but with|
| |those that have, we have found that with a few small adjustments, they would be able to cope with any of the three options. |
| | |
|7.6.2 |Operational comments – these ranged from requests for new or more containers, requests for nets and general enquiries about the |
| |service we offer. Some comments were crew complaints and residents were encouraged to report any behavior or performance that fell |
| |short of the service standard so it could be investigated and any necessary action taken. |
| | |
|7.6.3 |Around 6% of the comments made related to wanting to keep the current collection regime – as was outlined in the previous scrutiny |
| |report and at the member seminar, officers believe doing nothing is not an option. There are no other fundamental changes that could|
| |be made to increase the recycling rate to reach the next and future statutory targets. |
| | |
|7.6.4 |Comments about expanding the range of materials we collect – in most cases these comments related to materials we already collect and|
| |where possible, residents will be advised of this. Items that were suggested for collection that we do not currently collect at the |
| |kerbside included batteries and small electrical items. It is not currently economically viable to collect these items at the |
| |kerbside and they can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Frustration was also expressed at the range of materials |
| |that currently cannot be recycled such as cling film. There is some sympathy with this view but the Council cannot influence the |
| |market in this regard. There was also a view expressed that the cardboard collection should be weekly and not fortnightly. |
| | |
|7.6.5 |Fly-tipping. Concerns were expressed about changes in a collection regime leading to increased incidences of fly tipping. The |
| |experience of other councils who have adopted a reduced residual capacity methodology is that fly tipping increases initially while |
| |the new system beds in (for about one or two months) but then settles to pre-change rates. Officers have no reason to believe that |
| |Torfaen will be very different from the experience elsewhere in Wales. |
| | |
|7.6.6 |Pests. Concerns were expressed that a change in regime would lead to an increase in pests and pest activity. These comments largely|
| |centered on the bag option and the monthly collection option, and fears of excess side waste with any option. Many councils |
| |currently operate a bag system and do not overly suffer with pests or pest activity. Animals are attracted by smell and if all food |
| |stuffs are in the brown caddy, and all food containers have been rinsed and are in the black box, there should be very little left in|
| |the residual waste container to attract animal attention. |
| | |
|7.6.7 |Enforcement. There was general frustration expressed at why the Council was unable to target those households that currently do not |
| |recycle or do not do so regularly. A view was expressed that those households that currently recycle fully were being penalized. |
| |There is nothing within primary legislation in the UK that enables the Council to fine people for not recycling. Under the |
| |Environment Protection Act 1990, we can fine for excess side waste and for placing recyclate in the wrong container (except the |
| |residual container). To date, the Council has shied away from this approach but having an enforcement policy is something the |
| |Council will need to consider going forward. |
| | |
|7.6.8 |Better bins/boxes. Questions were asked about having bigger boxes or using bags or wheelie bins for recyclate material. The Council|
| |some years ago adopted its collection methodology – kerbside sort – which is the Welsh Government’s preferred method for |
| |sustainability reasons. To move to bags or wheelie bins for recyclate would move away from this policy position. The current boxes |
| |used are a UK standard and have been assessed for health and safety. Having bigger boxes will create weight issues for both |
| |residents and crews. However, households can have as many black boxes as they wish and we have been clear to remind residents of |
| |this throughout consultation. |
| | |
|7.6.9 |Food caddy liners. Around 4% of the comments received related to the provision by the Council of food caddy liners. The decision on|
| |this will be made by Council later in the year. Scrutiny Committee’s view was clear, that food caddy liners should be provided, and |
| |this will be fed into the decision report. |
| | |
|7.7 |Throughout the comments, there was some dissatisfaction expressed on the consultation itself. Residents felt aggrieved that they |
| |only had three options to choose from and wished there to be a ‘none of the above option’. It was explained that any one of the |
| |three options proposed would help the Council achieve the targets it needs to reach and as any one would work, the Council wanted the|
| |public’s view on which one they’d prefer of the three. The consultation was never intended to be about whether the change should |
| |happen but about what shape that change should take, given a choice. A number of councils have rolled out a reduced residual |
| |collection regime without consultation and the Council is not statutorily required to consult on this matter. |
| | |
|7.8 |Concern was also expressed that the proposals seemed to be a reduction in service. If Option A or B is chosen, the residual |
| |collection will remain at fortnightly and all other services/collections will remain the same, and a new dedicated nappy service will|
| |be introduced for those that need it. The residual capacity is being reduced in order to divert the recyclate waste from residual |
| |into the correct container. There is, therefore no reduction in service. |
| | |
|7.9 |A number of respondents – 4% - provided positive comments about the existing service. |
| | |
|7.10 |Finally, Committee will be aware of a facebook group and petition against these proposals. The petition has nearly 800 signatures |
| |and the originator given advice on how that petition can be presented. |
| | |
|8. |Consultation |
| | |
| |The communication and consultation undertaken is recorded under section 7. Future consultation on the preferred option will be |
| |undertaken with the Trade Unions. |
| | |
|9. |Implications |
| | |
|9.1 |The proposals contained within this report represent a policy decision within the overarching policy position of the Council to |
| |increase recycling and reduce waste sent for disposal. The policy decision will have a significant impact on both operational |
| |delivery and citizens. The introduction of a reduced residual (black bin) capacity for residents will result in a reduction in the |
| |amount of residual waste collected but should also result in an increase in the amount of recyclable material collected as recyclate |
| |is diverted from the black bin into the correct container, which is a key corporate objective of the Council. |
| | |
|9.2 |A policy proposal to introduce enforcement as a last resort will also have implications for both Legal Services and Planning and |
| |Public Protection. The primary legislation already exists to enable enforcement to take place. There are no legal implications of |
| |not introducing any of the proposals but there will be significant financial penalties for not meeting statutory recycling targets, |
| |penalties which have not been allowed for in the medium term financial plan. |
| | |
|9.3 |The financial implications will very much depend on the option that is finally chosen by Council. All three of the proposed options |
| |will result in a year on year saving. Some of the costs will be capital (for example, buying new vehicles and/or bins) and some will|
| |be revenue. The implication of the preferred option as expressed by the public is one off set-up costs of £754,000 and annual |
| |savings of £78,000. These figures do not include for the provision of food caddy liners, which are estimated to cost £26,000 |
| |annually initially. Committee should note that an approach has been made to Welsh Government to seek grant funding for these set up |
| |costs on an invest to save basis. |
| | |
|9.4 |A communications plan was derived with colleagues from the Communications Team for the consultation and one will be devised for the |
| |implementation phases of the project once a decision has been made later in the year. |
| | |
|9.5 |There will be implications for the operational staff. As residents recycle more and place less waste in their residual (black) bin, |
| |fewer staff and vehicles on the ‘black’ rounds will be needed, however, this will be offset by a need for greater staff and vehicles |
| |on the other waste streams (food/cardboard and recycling stillages). It is not anticipated that there will be an overall reduction |
| |in the staff or vehicles needed – the waste collected will move from one stream to another. |
| | |
|9.6 |There are no implications for social inclusion and equalities as all residents will be treated equally and no changes are planned to |
| |existing special services. An equality impact assessment has not been undertaken for the purposes of this report but one will be |
| |undertaken once the preferred option is known. There are no implications for the Disability Discrimination Act or human rights. |
| | |
|9.7 |There are no implications for partners. There are implications for service users, in that they will need to make greater use of the |
| |wide range of recycling facilities available from the Council both at their kerbside and within the HWRC. There are no implications |
| |for the business community who pay for a residual waste service. |
| | |
|9.8 |The preferred option will increase sustainability as there will be less material going for disposal and more being recycled. All |
| |three options significantly divert waste materials up the waste hierarchy, which is acknowledged by Welsh Government studies as |
| |improving sustainability and has environmental benefits. The three options represent three different ways to do the same thing and |
| |that is shifting waste from the black bin into the recycling receptacles. Overall, it will result in extra vehicles being needed and|
| |therefore a slight increase in transportational impact, however, this will be offset by the recovery of materials through recycling, |
| |and financial savings. |
| | |
|9.9 |There are no implications for crime and disorder. As highlighted in paragraph 7.6.5, officers’ anticipate a short lived rise in |
| |fly-tipping when the policy is first introduced but this will return to pre-restriction levels once the new system beds in. The |
| |introduction of an enforcement policy will help the Council to address specific problem areas as a last resort. |
| | |
|9.10 |The implication on performance is that it is forecast that once an option is selected to reduce residual capacity, recycling |
| |performance will rise significantly in line with that experienced by other councils. The full impact of the change will take a few |
| |years to be realised as the new service matures and as residents change their behavior and their relationship with the waste they |
| |produce. The rate of resident participation and engagement with the new system will have a bearing on how quickly the recycling |
| |performance will improve and it is therefore not possible for officers to predict the year on year improvement in recycling rates at |
| |this juncture. |
| | |
|10. |Risks |
| | |
|10.1 |The main risk to introduction of reduced residual capacity is resistance and dissatisfaction by residents. Both can be ameliorated |
| |through frequent and clear communication that explains why the Council is making this change in service provision. Service standards|
| |have recently been published and officers will continue to strive to improve service delivery by the operational staff. The former |
| |can also be mitigated by a clear enforcement policy as a last resort after other forms of education and awareness have been |
| |exhausted. |
| | |
| |The risk of not making the change of service is that the Council will face significant annual fines for not meeting statutory |
| |targets, which it can ill afford. There will also be reputational damage to the Council for failing to meet statutory targets. |
|10.2 | |
| | |
|11. |Actions to be taken following consideration by the scrutiny committee |
| | |
|11.1 |A report will be submitted to Council in the autumn to seek a decision on reducing residual capacity and the method that will be |
| |employed to do so. The views of scrutiny committee will be included in that report. Preference has been expressed by the public to |
| |retain fortnightly collections with the skinny bin. Operational staff have expressed a preference to move to a bag system. The bag |
| |system also represents the greatest saving and lowest set up costs. It is suggested therefore that Council be asked to debate the |
| |merits of both system and decide, potentially by recorded vote. |
| | |
| |Consideration will be given to a further all member seminar on the results of the consultation in advance of the Council meeting. |
| | |
| |Following decision by Council, an implementation plan will be derived and the new scheme will be implemented in early 2015. |
|11.2 | |
| | |
| | |
|11.3 | |
| | |
|12. |Monitoring and evaluation |
| | |
|12.1 |Success during implementation will be measured by achieving milestones dates and by monitoring and responding to any service queries |
| |and complaints that arise. |
| | |
| |Overall success will be measured by a significant increase in recycling performance, thereby meeting future statutory recycling |
|12.2 |targets. |
| | |
|13. |Conclusion/summary |
| | |
|13.1 |Committee has previously received two reports on the need and means by which residual (black bin) waste capacity can be reduced to |
| |structurally encourage residents to recycle more. This need is driven by statutory recycling targets, with significant financial |
| |penalties if the targets are not met. The Council can ill afford significant fines. |
| | |
| |Following Committee’s endorsement of the three proposals, officers consulted with the residents of Torfaen using various methods. |
| |This report outlines the results of that consultation and the preferred option for reducing residual capacity as expressed by the |
|13.2 |public and operational staff. Council will be asked to make a decision to adopt one of the three options in the Autumn. |
| | |
| |This report also outlines the comments/queries/concerns expressed by the public during communication/consultation and responses to |
| |the main themes. |
| | |
| |Committee’s view on the consultation undertaken and on the preferred option is therefore sought, as indicated within the report. |
|13.3 | |
| | |
| | |
|13.4 | |
| | |
|14. |Suggested scrutiny activity |
| | |
|14.1 |Committee should provide comment on the appropriateness of the consultation process undertaken. |
| | |
| |Committee should provide comment on whether the recommendations being made to Council are appropriate and whether officers have |
|14.2 |adequately considered the views expressed by residents and others during the consultation period. |
| | |
|Appendices |A – Consultation documentation |
| |B – MySay results |
| |C – Bron Afon responses |
| |D – Facebook responses |
| |E – Roadshow responses |
| |F – Directly delivered responses |
|Background Papers |Note: Members of the public are entitled, under the Local Government Act 1972, to inspect background papers to reports.|
| |The following is a list of the background papers used in the production of this report. |
| | |
| |TCBC Cleaner Overview and Scrutiny report entitled “Residual Waste Capacity – collection options to assist in reaching |
| |Welsh Government recycling targets”, dated 9th April 2014. |
|For a copy of the background papers or for further information about this report, please telephone: Dana Eynon, Head of Property, Streetscene |
|and Waste, 01495 742879, dana.eynon@.uk |
APPENDIX A
Waste review – My Say text
Torfaen council is currently undertaking a review of its black bin collections in order to meet future statutory recycling targets for Welsh councils.
Torfaen’s recycling targets, which are set by the Welsh Government, will increase to 58% in 2015/16, with the council facing fines in the region of £100,000 for every 1% it falls below these targets.
All Welsh councils must reach recycling rates of 70% by 2025.
Torfaen currently recycles 52% of its waste (which is the current statutory target), meaning that unless it can collect more recycling, it will face significant fines. The impact of these fines will affect everyone in Torfaen either through reduced services or higher fees and charges.
The bulk of waste produced by the average household in Torfaen can now be recycled at the kerbside. Unfortunately, a huge amount of material that could be recycled continues to be placed in the black bin and sent to landfill, or for incineration.
The council is currently investigating three options designed to encourage residents to use the recycling services available at the kerbside.
We are asking you to choose between the three options outlined below. They were chosen as they represent the options which are most likely to increase our recycling rates to the 2025 target.
A - Maintain a fortnightly collection but with a smaller, 140 litre wheelie bin
The Council would remove the old 240 litre bin and replace it with a free 140 litre bin.
This option would result in an annual saving of £78,000.
During the first year there will be an additional cost to the Council of £754,000 to purchase the new smaller bins and promotional costs.
B - A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household
The Council would provide the bags free of charge to residents.
This option would result in an annual saving of £138,000.
During the first year there will be an additional cost to the Council of £38,000 to cover promotional costs.
C - A monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
This option would result in an annual saving of £56,000.
During the first year there will be an additional cost to the Council of £57,000 to cover promotional costs.
Please note the following:
A dedicated collection service for absorbent hygiene products (such as nappies) will be introduced to those who need it.
All other services that we currently provide will remain the same, so for example if you receive an assisted or medical collection, this will remain unchanged. Where we have made specific arrangements for larger families, we will continue to provide additional black bin/bag capacity.
No matter which option is finally decided upon by the council, allowances for additional waste at Christmas and New Year will be made because we appreciate that more waste is produced at that time of year.
The full report is available to view at .uk/en/CouncillorsAndCommittees/Meetings/CleanerCommunitiesOverviewScrutinyCommittee/2014/04/09/Agenda/Agenda-09-04-2014.pdf
We would like your view on the future of black bin/bag collections. We have included a questionnaire as part of this consultation. Please identify your preferred option and provide us with your comments on how we could help you to recycle more.
Closing Date….
Residual Waste Questionnaire
Name ________________ Age __________ Postcode ___________
1) Which option do you prefer? (Please tick one box only)?
Option A - Fortnightly bin collection but with a smaller, 140 litre wheelie bin
Option B - Fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household
Option C - Monthly bin collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
|Option A | | |Option B | |
Food Caddy (see link for a list of items that we collect)
|Yes | | |No | |
Green Waste Bin (see link for a list of items that we collect)
|Yes | | |No | |
Black Box (see link for a list of items that we collect)
|Yes | | |No | |
Where you have ticked no, what prevents you from doing so?
|Comments |
| |
| |
| |
2) What other services could the council provide to encourage more waste to be recycled?
|Comments |
| |
| |
| |
Please return completed questionnaire to :- Waste Policy Team, Ty Blaen Torfaen, Panteg Way,
New Inn, Pontypool, Torfaen NP4 0LS
APPENDIX B
|My Say | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|Source |Option A |Option B |Option C |Spoilt |Total |
|My Say |425 |48 |84 |3 |560 |
|TOTAL |425 |48 |84 |3 |560 |
| |76% |9% |15% |1% |100% |
A ‘spoilt’ paper is one where the respondent has not chosen any of the three options (or all of them) but has made comment, usually in favour of keeping the status quo. These comments will be captured as part of the analysis of all comments received, later in the report.
|Question 2 - Do You Recycle? |
| | | | | |
|Cardboard |Food |Green |Box |None |
|500 |406 |491 |546 |6 |
|500 |406 |491 |546 |6 |
|89% |73% |88% |98% |1% |
My Say Comments/Queries
| |Number of |
| |Comments/ |
|Subject |Queries |
|Query about nappies |9 |
|Concern of Size of family |8 |
|Will not work |0 |
|Operational comments, e.g., requests for new containers, crew complaints|50 |
|Keep collections as is |21 |
|Smaller bins |0 |
|Bags |0 |
|Monthly Collections |0 |
|Expand Recycling Collections |83 |
|Recycling for flats |7 |
|Recycling for businesses |6 |
|Recycling for schools |2 |
|Animal Waste |7 |
|Increase in Fly tipping |22 |
|Increase in pests (related to bag option) |12 |
|Enforcement/Awareness, e.g., why can’t we just fine those who don’t |67 |
|recycle | |
|Target big business |0 |
|Supply Free food bags |30 |
|Better recycling bins |54 |
|Have co-mingled collections |13 |
|Go to three weekly collection |1 |
|Have more recycling in town centres |28 |
|Comments about the financial costs (related to skinny bins) |11 |
|Having incentives |9 |
|Having an all Wales collection |0 |
APPENDIX C
BRON AFON
|RSLs | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|Source |Option A |Option B |Option C |Spoilt |Total |
|Bron Afon |63 |5 |10 |33 |111 |
|TOTAL |63 |5 |10 |33 |111 |
| |57% |5% |9% |30% |100% |
A ‘spoilt’ paper is one where the respondent has not chosen any of the three options (or all of them) but has made comment, usually in favour of keeping the status quo. These comments will be captured as part of the analysis of all comments received, later in the report.
Question Two responses are included within the main body of the report (7.5) and have been incorporated into all other responses on Question Two.
| |Number of |
| |Comments/ |
|Subject |Queries |
|Query about nappies |0 |
|Concern of Size of family |2 |
|Will not work |1 |
|Operational comments, e.g., requests for new containers, crew complaints|7 |
|Keep collections as is |13 |
|Smaller bins |0 |
|Bags |0 |
|Monthly Collections |0 |
|Expand Recycling Collections |1 |
|Recycling for flats |6 |
|Recycling for businesses |0 |
|Recycling for schools |0 |
|Animal Waste |0 |
|Increase in Fly tipping |3 |
|Increase in pests (related to bag option) |4 |
|Enforcement/Awareness, e.g., why can’t we just fine those who don’t |4 |
|recycle | |
|Target big business |0 |
|Supply Free food bags |0 |
|Better recycling bins |4 |
|Have co-mingled collections |4 |
|Go to three weekly collection |0 |
|Have more recycling in town centres |7 |
|Comments about the financial costs (related to skinny bins) |2 |
|Having incentives |0 |
|Having an all Wales collection |0 |
APPENDIX D
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
SUMMARY
|Query over nappies |24 |
| | |
|Concern over size of family |49 |
| | |
|Will not work/not happy with either option |55 |
| | |
|Operational issues (e.g. Containers requests, missed waste, |76 |
|complaints RE crews) | |
|Keep things as they are/revert to weekly collections |16 |
| | |
|Smaller bins |17 |
|Bags |7 |
|Monthly collections |17 |
|Expand recycling collections (more items, regular cardboard) |31 |
|Recycling collections for flats |30 |
|Recycling collections for businesses |20 |
|Recycling collections for schools |10 |
|Animal waste |22 |
|Will increase fly tipping |55 |
|Will increase pests |36 |
|Enforcement |16 |
|Target big businesses |12 |
|Council to supply free food waste bags |13 |
|Council to supply bigger/better bins for recycling |38 |
|Council to move to co-mingled collection |22 |
|Three-weekly collections |2 |
| | |
|Recycling in town centres |6 |
| | |
|Torfaen responses (Facebook) |283 |
Date: 3rd June 2014
Purpose of post: To announce consultation
Reach: 21,704
Comments on post: 393 (including council replies)
Shares: 154
[pic]
Torfaen
Black bin consultation launched
We are calling for residents to have their say on the future of black bin collections in the borough.
From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets.
All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
While the bulk of waste produced by the average household in Torfaen can now be recycled at the kerbside, a huge amount of material that could be recycled continues to be placed in the black bin and sent to landfill, or for incineration.
The council has decided to restrict the amount of general waste it collects in order to encourage more people to use the available recycling facilities, especially those available at the kerbside, and increase recycling rates to meet the 2025 target set by Welsh Government.
We are asking residents to choose between three options which include:
• Maintaining a fortnightly collection with a replacement smaller black wheelie bin. The bin, which would hold 140 litres, would be supplied free of charge by the council.
• A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household. The bags would be provided free of charge by the council.
• Moving to a monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin.
Whichever option is decided upon, a dedicated collection for nappies will be available for those who need it. Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
Recycling collections, assisted collections, and medical collections will continue to operate as normal.
To take part in the consultation and have your say visit
Road shows will take place across Torfaen during the next month:
10/06/2014 World Heritage Centre
16/06/2014 Asda
17/06/2014 Asda
18/06/2014 Pontypool Market
19/06/2014 Tesco
20/06/2014 Morrisons
24/06/2014 World Heritage Centre
27/06/2014 Cwmbran Shopping Centre
A series of Facebook Q&A sessions will take place during June.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 3 June
•
• Gail Aherne, Iris Williams, Andrew Lewis and 14 others like this.
• 154 shares
Emlyn Stokes Try to be more cost efficient
3 June at 16:25 · Like
Tracey Williams Is there nappy collection already in place as I have never been offered it for my son
3 June at 16:26 · Like
Rachel Williams I think the proposed options are ridiculous! Why is there no recycling for the blocks of flats? Surely this would help with your recycling quota!
3 June at 16:26 · Like · 14
Ray Garcia Torfaen has spent loads on bins in the 10 years i lived here why waste even more money buying new bins, leave the bin we have at the moment collect two bag fortnightly (as it is now) please no more reductions in services. You need to educate not punish
3 June at 16:27 · Like · 5
Mike Tibbott total crap 1 black bag a week per family of 4 or more ......more fly tipping
3 June at 16:27 · Like · 15
Rachel Davies Keep the black bins as they are. We struggle with fortnightly collections as it is. What ludicrous idea
3 June at 16:28 · Like · 17
Jenny Lou Ellsum Would recycle if I was actually sent a recycling box.
3 June at 16:29 · Like · 1
Matt Watkins Stick as we are and don't be so picky with what you collect for recycling.
3 June at 16:30 · Like · 2
Rachel Williams What about families that that have dogs & the dogs waste to go into the black bin. If it was monthly collections it would be horrendous with the smell.
3 June at 16:30 · Like · 4
Torfaen Hi Tracey. Under the current system, nappies can be placed out in the black wheelie bin for a fortnightly collection. The dedicated collection mentioned in the above post would be brought in to ensure those who need a regular nappy collection continue to receive one.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 3 June at 16:30 · Like · 3
Glenys Haig As you intend to half our service can we expect half our rates?
3 June at 16:30 · Like · 18
Michelle Robins Insentives to recycle would be better. Some of us already do so why should we suffer for ridiculous government targets.
3 June at 16:31 · Like · 2
Amie Reardon Keep it as it is. One black bag a week. I struggle now with a family of four. What do we pay our council tax for. What about people who cannot drive and have no way of taking extra rubbish to the tip.
WHAT A JOKE
3 June at 16:31 · Like · 2
Debbie Potter Daft brainwave there you have had torfaen ....
3 June at 16:33 · Like · 2
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Its about time council tax went down if your not happy to do anything for it
3 June at 16:34 · Like · 7
David Watkins the sides of the roads will look so much prettier once fly tipping takes off.
3 June at 16:34 · Edited · Like
Mike Tibbott all services get cut except council tax which goes up
3 June at 16:34 · Like · 2
Laura Austen Theres 11 of us in my house 2 of my children are in nappies I have 2 black bins that are always full every fortnight with 9 kids do u really think I have time to do a tip run with rubbish
3 June at 16:34 · Like · 2
Debbie Potter I recycle everything possible n sometimes struggle with fortnightly bins.....
3 June at 16:34 · Like · 6
Joanne Probert Barbara Ann Selby
3 June at 16:35 · Like
Craig Dando What a JOKE
3 June at 16:35 · Like · 1
Jolene Hulbert this is so unfair to the families like mine who do recycle as much as possible ! but my black bin still needs emptying 1 fortnight !
3 June at 16:35 · Like · 5
Sarah King All are ridiculus 1 black bag a week for a family and as i dont drive how would i get rid of the rest of my rubbish??? So we gonna end up with more rubbish in the streets and as mentioned are we gonna get reductions then????
3 June at 16:35 · Like
Ryan Fowler The best option I can see would be for everyone to take any extra waste from reduced collections and place it outside the council offices weekly. See how that goes down.
3 June at 16:35 · Like · 12
Kelly Johnson Lovell We r a family of 6!!!!
None of these options are any good for us!!!
Plus I make sure tha anything tha can b recycled is.. There is no way that we can meet this.. Disgusting.
3 June at 16:35 · Like · 3
Maddy Mccarthy Leave it as it is, we have already lost the once a week collection. so much for having our views heard torfaen. It has already been decided for us, you are cutting our collections, could we cut our council tax without asking your advice first? I think not...stop cutting our services unless your going to cut our council tax less services for less cash I think
3 June at 16:36 · Like · 5
Micro Smith it would appear that no matter what you do the targets are not met so how about dealing with it once and for all, try the Spanish system like kerbside recycling stations on every estate or every street,
Its annoying me the amount of times the councils change the system and rules, how much is it gonna cost us for new smaller bins for everyone? if the system isn't working take the fine and pay it, take it out of the councils CEO's bonus and tell the EU or welsh assembly that the problem cant be fixed unless the manufactures make products that are recycling friendly, then start fining the company's that don't comply
3 June at 16:36 · Like · 8
Beverley Barrett Our black bin is full by the time they get collected fortnightly and I already do use recycling facilities available. If it goes ahead it'll backfire and cause more fly tipping and rubbish on the streets. Ridiculous idea!
3 June at 16:36 · Like · 7
Torfaen Rachel Williams Rachel, yes we are currently in the process of looking at recycling arrangements for flats
Commented on by Chris Latham · 3 June at 16:37 · Like
Maria Rooke Go bk to black bin collected every week plz.. With 4 kids its a struggle to fit all rubbish in bins
3 June at 16:37 · Like · 1
Richard Caddick you cannot class a family of 5 the same as a family of 2 FACT!
3 June at 16:37 · Like · 7
Joanne Probert absolutely ridiculous suggestions!!! If we go to 2 black bags where do you suggest we store them as the rats will start tearing into them. its bad enough being fortnightly now. Maybe you should cut some of the big bosses wages .....that might help!!!!!
3 June at 16:37 · Like · 12
Maria Rooke Why do people in flats get their rubbish collected every week and bigger households every other week...????
3 June at 16:38 · Like · 3
Daz Rothmann-Cox Also I ordered a new black box about 6 months ago and still not received one! Our current one was destroyed by the bin men throwing them at the house...and nearly smashing the glass door. So TCBC should pull their finger out and provide those of us who wish to recycle with the necessary boxes, bins and bags when requested
3 June at 16:38 · Like · 8
Dave Thomas I look forward to seeing your figures for clearing up fly tipping a year after these new rules come in.......
3 June at 16:39 · Like · 13
Lesley Gronow Hartland We already recycle all that we can & our large bin is still full every fortnight as we are a family. Does the council seriously think that this will not lead to fly tipping & and increase in vermin. We are also responsible dog owners, & clean up our dog mess - where does the council suggest we get rid of this? My husband & I both work & it is not easy for us to get the to the tip - isn't this what we pay council tax for? Will council tax go down as we potentially have to do some of the work we pay for ourselves? This seems like a typical council action - cutting off the head to cure the headache
3 June at 16:40 · Like · 5
Hannah Corbett We r a family of 4, no chance !! Never going to work ! Then they will moan about fly tipping !!
3 June at 16:41 · Like · 2
Samantha Scriven We recycle everything we can and still really struggle to get it all into the black bin once a fortnight. There's so much even when we recycle everything! These reductions will create more fly tipping and encourage rats.
3 June at 16:41 · Like · 2
Lee Vaughan It don't matter what we say u the council will do what is best for u not the the ppl who pay the council tax. May I remind the council that we pay for a service, and shouldn't we be entitled to service what we want not what u are telling us we can have..
3 June at 16:41 · Like · 7
Ellie Hollands This is ludicrous! We're a family of 5 and do everything that is required in respects to recycling. We already struggle with our general waste being collected fornightly! If this goes ahead Torfaen will be crawling with rats!! Get a grip Torfaen council!!
3 June at 16:41 · Like · 5
Karen Lang We recycle everything possible, we have two compost bins so our only food waste is small amounts of meat and bread and we still struggle with fortnightly bin collections. Now you want to reduce the size of the bins or change it to monthly??!! Do you want us to start taking them to the refuse centres for you as well?? This is ridiculous!!!
3 June at 16:41 · Like · 3
Gareth Ponting Torfaen. Does the cost of council tax go down? You seem to be doing less and less yet the cost of council tax keeps on rising!
Its me and my 4 kids in this house. I do regular trips up the tip as it is. If your going to consider this can you do an "opt out" so people can do not have to pay you for the job your not doing and get some money for themselves to put petrol in their own cars to run it up the tip?
As for recycling. I asked you 6 or 7 times for new black boxes, inboxed you on here, rang you so many times and given you my details I don't know how many times and I still don't have any.
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 12
Lew Lewis Try Targeting the people who "DON'T" recycle..
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 2
Ken Davies Problem is resident wouldnt have a say
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 2
Maria Hopkins Either the smaller bin or a monthly collection. Let's not get into kerbside bags. Good idea about the nappies, would these be sent for recycling? Also would the general waste facility still be available at the tip?
3 June at 16:42 · Like
Joanne Roderick My bin is full every 2 weeks thats using the recycling boxes and bags . Smaller bins would not be good for family of four x
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 3
Paul Ockenden none of the above, I hope you plan to employ more people to pick up the fly tipped stuff
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 3
Michael Green We need to get rid of the black box, the brown food box, and the stupid blue cardboard bag and look for an all in one solution to these 3.
3 June at 16:42 · Like · 1
Vicki Baiton I recycle as much as possible and some weeks I can't fit it all into the box. Some councils provide larger green bins and a large "recycle" bin. I'd be happier do that with a fortnightly normal black bin collection. Less mess thrown around the streets in bad weather too...
3 June at 16:43 · Like · 1
Sally Murdoch Half the time the boys don't take stuff with the recycle sign on so how are we supposed to recycle more !!!
3 June at 16:43 · Like · 1
Ken Davies And you will implement one of these anyway and our council will still go up!! Your all a bunch of plebs
3 June at 16:43 · Like · 1
Craig Lewis we recycle a lot.but still get a paclrd black bin fortnightly. keep if as is.
3 June at 16:43 · Like
Ben Rooke for those of us having to deal with little oiks stealing our recycling bins or the refuce staff breaking the boxes can you pkease advise what plans you have in place to enable tennants to use the scheme. i am not paying to replacebox's or bins that have been stolen by scumbags to burn or broken by torfaen staff...
3 June at 16:44 · Like · 2
Jason O'Connell Vote labour, get Labour economical decisions. I wonder if other councils in England are having tax hikes like we have in Torfaen every year followed by stupid plans like this one....
3 June at 16:44 · Like · 1
Sammie Humphreys When I live in Kettering, Northamptonshire for 3 years the council gave us a blue bin and a black bin. The blue bin had all the cardboard and recycling waste and the black bin was the general, it worked well why not do that. If the council think a one month collection is feasible then they are having a laugh!!
3 June at 16:44 · Like · 3
Sioned Stalker We have a family of four. One is 5 months old so getting through a lot of nappies, we also have a dog. You can imagine how our bin would smell if collections were further apart still. Fortnightly collections already cause us yo do weekly runs to the dump.
I am also still waiting for my replacement recycling bag and box that was promised on 22nd APRIL!!! It's getting beyond a joke now.
What exactly would the arrangement be for nappy collections?
The system we had in Scotland was fab and we never had any issues. Would be happy to show you as the council I lived in were awarded for their high recycling figures. A bag for cardboard is the most ludicrous!! Bag of mush in the rain and the food bins are constantly being knocked over and broken into by dogs.
3 June at 16:45 · Like · 2
Jay Cox Is torfean taking the **** people are struggling at the moment the 3 options are a joke streets and lanes are going to look like a dumping ground so the money you save from emptying bins will be spent on cleaning the streets up has anyone on the council got a I.Q
3 June at 16:45 · Like · 1
Ken Davies Labour my ****
3 June at 16:45 · Like
Zoe Buffin The council and other business earn a lot of money on recycling all the material we place in our black boxes as well as our council tax, so think all this is getting a joke as u earn more and more and do less and less and we pay more and have to do more and more our self. Really don't get that.
3 June at 16:46 · Like
Emma Bustin This is a ludicrous idea. My bin has been collected today and I already had 2 black bags waiting to go into it. Fly tipping is a serious issue and I'm sure that the problem has intensified since fortnightly collection. Surely waste produced depends on people per household could there not be a better system put in place based on this rather than penalise everyone.
3 June at 16:46 · Edited · Like · 1
Jane Watkins We are a family of 6 and have 2 bins (large and small) we fill both bins a fortnight along with full recycling boxes and cardboard bag and food waste. We have 2 dogs and flush their waste down the loo 9 out of 10 times so there is an answer to a previous comment!! Hopefully when our little one is out of nappies both bins wont be overflowing. Monthly collections just will NOT work!!
3 June at 16:47 · Like · 2
Ali J Griffiths try making people recycle! my bin is always full with other peoples rubbish because they can't be bothered to recycle and have loads of rubbish.... just stupid
3 June at 16:47 · Like
Helen Moses Don't particularly agree with any as it is a struggle at times fitting everything in the bin as it is, and that's with recycling. If those 3 are the only options then the first is best. 2 bags a fortnight is pushing it plus from experience of living in area where they used bags instead of bins, it's smellier and attracts cats and rats more too, making more mess. Also it's the issue of where do you store these bags until bin day. Monthly is too long a period and imagine the smell will be far from pleasant. Also don't think this is viable for families too. Glad to hear you propose to do a nappy collection. Long overdue. Do you plan to do anything about recyling paper from kerbside too?
3 June at 16:47 · Like
Emma Edwards Whats the pojnt they wont ***** listen anyway , I recyle everything possible , pay 101 quid a month council tax and for what , we are a family of four on a low income getting getting screwed over yet again grr
3 June at 16:47 · Like · 2
Melanie Rolph Aaron Rolph
3 June at 16:49 · Like
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Wot a joke!!!!!!! We recycle everything that is possible to recycle and still hav a black bin full every fortnight it shud be the manufacturers thst get the fines for not making things recyclable!!! Not all our families made to suffer. Remind me again torfaen why do we pay council tax????? We r goin back to ****** dickens times wen rubbish was all over the streets!!! You tell ppl to recycle but wen u ask for more black boxes they never ever turn up and if the staff who collected them didnt throw um around the streets then it wudnt cost u so much money to replace them therefore u cud pay the fines u say u will get!!!!
3 June at 16:49 · Like · 2
Diane Hambley Keep the black bins as they are I need bigger food bin I cook alot from scratch and struggle to fit all peelings etc I cannot believe it is cost effective to buy more bins to save money?!
3 June at 16:49 · Like · 2
Amy Davies What do people put in their black bins? I would prefer bigger recycling boxes or maybe recycling bins so that they can be wheeled out. Monthly black bin collections would suit us fine as there is never much in there anyway.
3 June at 16:49 · Like · 1
Aaron Rolph If fly tipping isn't big enough of an issue!!
3 June at 16:50 · Like · 2
Gareth Ponting Jane Watkins. Is that 2 adults and 4 kids?
3 June at 16:51 · Like
Scott Keenan Would help if they actually did there job properly and empty them!!!!!
3 June at 16:51 · Like · 1
Rhian Porter I recycle as much as I can and my bin is always full by the two weeks. I am fed up of having loads of seperate recycling containers taking up space outside my house and it looks an eye sore! Would much rather one big container for mixed recycling including cardboard and food waste to go in green garden bin. If I have a nappy bin also I will have 5 rubbish related items outside my house ridiculous!! If they give you two bags are they going to be bigger and stronger than normal black bags? Are nappy bins to be emptied every week?
3 June at 16:51 · Like
Chris Huish How much are you going to reduce my council tax for all this recycling? It's about time packaging was reduced, that way there would be less waste to start with.....rocket science it isn't!!
3 June at 16:51 · Like · 6
Lee Ansell With regard to the recycling guys,they need monitoring,as they leave a lot of mess when emptying the black boxes,which sometimes includes glass and tin can lids which could cause injury to a child or animal. The country as a whole needs to standardise with recycling etc,as some areas have about 4 different boxes/bins!
3 June at 16:53 · Like · 3
Gemma Goku Matthews Ridiculous!! If anything we need our bins emptied more often! Don't give us this crap about how it's to encourage recycling, it's to save you even more money that you can spend on more nonsense we don't need!
3 June at 16:53 · Like · 4
Julia Haskins Tremlett Our bin is full to overflowing by week one..ne'er alone fortnightly..so monthly is a joke...we are a family of 5 who recycle and have the same size bin as a single person household...but hey..who cares ..the council dont....we dont have a say...none of these options will work...keeping it as it is ..is the best option..and thats crap
3 June at 16:53 · Like · 3
Melanie Dianne Jones In Monmouthshire we follow option 2. We av just had our 'grey' bin bags delivered that will last till Nxt year. My neighbours household consists of 6 people so they are allowed extra bags each fortnight. We av never had wheely bins and many don't av problems such as cats, dogs and rats there is no food waste in these bags, food waste goes in blue bins and are taken each week. Recycling bags are also taken weekly. X
3 June at 16:54 · Like · 1
Lee Williams Absolute ****ing joke. All three options r no good to any family. Go bk to the welsh government and tell them to stick there ideas where the sun don't shine.
3 June at 16:55 · Like · 3
Liz Chapman Powell Buck What is the point of a voice and choice they will do what THEY want to do at the end of the day it is just a complete joke ?
3 June at 16:55 · Like · 2
Neil Selway Why not sort the black bin waste at the tip, create some jobs and solve a problem
3 June at 16:55 · Like · 2
Rhian Porter They will spend more money buying new smaller bins for everyone and wasting the bins we currently have. Also I think they should provide us with food caddy liners as these are really expensive.
3 June at 16:57 · Like · 1
Ashley Crimmins Torfaen council the most detached council from it's tax payers
3 June at 16:57 · Like · 3
Rachel Williams Why on earth would you flush the dog mess?! After coming from a walk with it in bags, I'm not going to take it in the house, split the bags to put it in the toilet! What if other families have other pets rather than dogs. Sawdust from cleaning with poo and urine would smell as bad and you can't flush that!
3 June at 16:57 · Edited · Like · 3
Maryse Mates Is my council tax going to be reduced. I'm not paying more tax for a reduced service.
3 June at 16:57 · Like · 4
Barry Jones I'm very supportive of the council and the difficult juggling act with costs and meeting recycling targets. However, as a household we recycle everything possible, and our black bin is always full to the point that the lid won't close after 2 weeks. There is literally nothing more we could do to lessen the amount of waste that goes in there, all cardboard, plastics, metal etc is split into the recycling and all green waste is in the appropriate bin. It's clear to me that reducing the size of the bin, or the frequency of the collection to monthly, we will have half of our household refuse piled on our driveway. It's a crazy suggestion I'm afraid, and the council will spend far more sorting out the mess from this decision if it goes ahead than by maintaining the current system. My family is four people by the way, two adults and two children, Lord knows how a larger family would cope. This proposal is I'm sorry to say, poorly thought out, and without a re-think of how products are supplied to the consumer, and what the council can recycle, it'll fail dismally.
3 June at 16:58 · Edited · Like · 3
Ray Garcia these are on the increase on our estate, luckily our 3 cats are happy to catch these, but leaves me confused as to which bin do we start putting these in ?
3 June at 16:58 · Like · 10
Dee Gibbs Allyson Berry
3 June at 16:59 · Like
Jan Felton Recycling needs to be clarified as to exactly what you can put in the bin. The bin men that collect at Farlays in Coed Eva have been known to leave plastic bottles so we have no chance. Neil Selway had the right idea put everything in the bin and employ people to sort it.
3 June at 17:00 · Like · 1
Kim Lewis Bins should be kept as they are, the refuse team to actually pick the stuff they drop.
Does Torfaen want a rat infestation, bin bags getting ripped open and rubbish everywhere?
3 June at 17:00 · Like · 2
Louise Watkins What a complete joke this is ur encouraging fly tipping which is already a probelm and ur going to encourage vermin yeah smashing idea can always rely on the council lmao joke!
3 June at 17:00 · Like
Louise Watkins And are u going to lower council tax? It seems to go up every year and every year we get less
3 June at 17:01 · Like · 5
John Snow 6 of us on my household and do my best to sort out my recycling which is hard as it is,doesn't matter what we say the council will do what they like anyway...fly tipping is the way forward...
3 June at 17:02 · Like · 1
Maryse Mates How about providing free biodegradable bags for food waste, a free bin cleaning service because there will be an increase in stench and up the recycling, for example tetra packs.
3 June at 17:03 · Like · 2
Steve Blackmore With 40000 homes (approx) in Torfaen and the average cost of an 80 litre wheelie bin £39.00 you're proposing spending £1.5 million on these new bins? Add to that the cost of replacing the black boxes / blue is this really a sensible use of the residents council tax? Just a couple of numbers worth considering. Therefore based on this simple bit of maths we can be 15% adrift without Torfaen suffering the consequences imposed by WAG
3 June at 17:03 · Like · 10
Johnny Pimm I live in a flat and I have my bin emptied every week and we don't have to recycle. Wouldn't it help dramatically (considering how many flats there are in torfaen) to get some sort of recycling scheme for flat tenants because I know for a fact come bin day out of the six bins outside my flat there's only ever 3 full !!! That would help considerably !!
3 June at 17:03 · Edited · Like · 1
Sam Cuerden Couldn't there be different coloured bins for recycling that are same size as a normal bin I think would be willing to use a bin than a black box and it creates less mess on the roads and curb side
3 June at 17:04 · Like · 1
Lisa Crowley No wonder people dont recycle I spend half of Tuesday looking for my bins/bag because your workers are to lazy to put them back, the only bin that doesn't go walk abouts is my black one so no wonder its always full.maybe if you spoke to your workers on how to put the bins back we would use the recycling bins.please dont tell me to complain I already have !!!
3 June at 17:05 · Like · 6
Allun 'Alsie' Davies Bin bags will be a nightmare, people will cut costs with poundshop ones, they will break on picking up and be left. I am old enough to still remember bin bags and the problems they caused with spillage, dogs destroying them, rats etc... I'd be for a smaller black bin
3 June at 17:05 · Like
Byron-Huw Weaver Who does the fine of £100,000 go to?
3 June at 17:05 · Like
Kris Thomas the sooner we are out of the EU the better.
3 June at 17:05 · Like · 1
Lesley Gronow Hartland Torfaen ,council ,im not going to be voting lab next year thats for sure .......we pay your wages Torfaen about time you listened to us ,we are not happy ,perhaps you ,would all in council take a pay cut instead ....hmmmm
3 June at 17:06 · Like · 6
Paul Mortlock Your having a ****ing laugh...I've left my recycling out today took everything but left the blue bag.im doing your ****ing job for you yet get stung on council tax and my items don't get taken?? If this applies will our council tax be halfed? ? Doubt it
3 June at 17:07 · Like · 1
Donna Winter To Ray, try the same bin as you put the councillors in!
3 June at 17:07 · Like · 1
Gemma Waters They're not considering larger families though. We recycle everything possible and still fill 2 black bins (1 large and 1 small) this new arrangement really worries me
3 June at 17:07 · Like
Ellie Hollands I commented previously, but would like to add, why doesn't the street I live on have the facilities to recycle cardboard, whilst the next street does?!? Makes no sense whatsoever! Surely giving everyone the opportunity to be able to recycle everything that's possible would help things?!?
3 June at 17:07 · Edited · Like
Janice Cooper. Was Dicken My black bin is always full after 2wks. I don't drive so I wouldn't b able to get 2 the tip with any black bags so I would just have to leave them outside on the road 4 the animals to rip open. I pay my council tax so just leave it as it is.
3 June at 17:08 · Like · 3
Gemma Waters There are 8 of us in a 4 bed house. 2 adults. 3 teenagers and 3 babies.
3 June at 17:08 · Like · 1
Lesley Gronow Hartland i have 2 dogs ,mastiffs ,18 kg of dog poo per 2 weeks ,ill be putting mine in public bins ,as told to when spoke to council ,about having my bin collected weekly .....and told no ...
3 June at 17:08 · Like · 2
Lisa Cook Surely the amount of people in the household should come into consideration too as we have 5 people
In our house & we struggle with the fortnightly collections as it is now and have to do tip runs on a regular basis & that's with us doing the recycling !!!
3 June at 17:09 · Like · 2
Emily Periam I recycle loads and my black bin is always full!! and my recycling & half the time recycling isleft all over the place & bins get left half way across the car park!! its a nightmare!!
3 June at 17:09 · Like
Rhiannon Taylor Leave it as it is, most families can just about cope on a fortnightly collection, we recycle quite a lot and our black Black bin is always full.
3 June at 17:10 · Like
Simon Cook None of the options are any good . Just dump the the waste that won't fit on torfaens doorstep
3 June at 17:11 · Like · 1
Barry Jones Torfaen Council your electorate has spoken. This might be the easiest way to achieve the recycling targets from the councils perspective but the clear message is that you need to find a different way, of which there are a few available.
3 June at 17:12 · Like · 5
Allyson Berry Wow.x
3 June at 17:12 · Like
Julie-Liz Samways Oh deep joy! Smaller bins or less collections. That's about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike! What is wrong with the ****** who decide these things?! We pay council tax for this tripe. Absolute joke! The refuse collection team are beyond useless, most of it gets dropped into the road. If we are expected to adhere to this perhaps you could train your guys to bend in the middle and pick up the crap they drop everywhere? And put bins back where they found them? Instead of blocking drives or just thrown up in the air n left where they land!!
3 June at 17:15 · Like · 13
Wayne Parry You got to be kidding us we pay council tax for you to employ bin men who chuck our bins black boxes all over the place and now you still want the tax payer to do more ? Who comes up with these ideas? Not only are your collectors useless at and kind of simple job as to empty the bins and boxes they leave more mess after they have been. Example black box for tins plastics every week there is something left plastic so I put it in wheelie bin so how is it helping the environment ? Sick of incompetent staff making a half ass job of what isn't to a taxing role!. It you intend to fine the councils it's only another smoke screen to tax us more for your wrong doing so yourselves out or get people who can do a simple job plus why don't you ask the tax payers before implementing any new rules as we are the voters . We pay and still get a poor service
3 June at 17:16 · Like · 3
Gareth McCann Maybe torfaen should sort out normal collections first cos they can't get that right. Or is it part of the plan to make the public wait so when the change occurs it will be like nothing changed!
3 June at 17:16 · Like · 2
Matthew Ralph We recycle all recyclables and still have a full bin every 2 weeks and we are not a particularly large household so I'm not sure how this is going to help you or us.
You'd be better off encouraging people who don't recycle to do so instead of punishing everyone who does. Free food recycling bags like in Newport would be a good start.
Try making it easier, not harder and you might get better results.
3 June at 17:17 · Like · 7
Aran Pomroy I put out stuff to be recycled but your very selective on what you pick up from one week to the next you always take cans and bottles and milk cartons but leave things like carrier bags , clothing , metals etc even the workers throw the recycling box's about and breaks um so is there any wonder you not meeting your targets .. but again the honest hard working tax payer got to suffer ..
3 June at 17:17 · Like · 4
Sallena Stephens Complete joke! Well I can see a lot of people dumping there rubbish any place they can.
3 June at 17:19 · Like · 1
Gareth Griffiths Can u tell me why some councillors in Torfaen have 2 black bins ? And believe me they do . It's a joke. Dump your rubbish in there gardens !
3 June at 17:22 · Like · 4
Simon Turner your recycling operatives has broken 2 of my little black boxes. This one i got now hasa big crack down it from where they just throw them down. Fxxxxng useless, i shall not be paying for a new one.
3 June at 17:24 · Like
Katherine Jayne Lemm We would recycle if you actually listened to our numerous requests for our recycling bins!
3 June at 17:24 · Like · 3
Deb Bevan We recycle, every week our black box is overflowing and brown food bin is full. Every week my black box gets thrown to the ground abd broken that bit more. My blue cardboard bag is overflowing every fortnight, and still my black bin is full. The rubbish left lying around on bin day is disgusting and sometimes people put recycling in carrier bags which are left in the street. I know people who don't recycle, so because of them I will be penalised with a smaller bin or monthly collection. Great. Well I think there will be more fly tipping of household rubbish, so council will have to employ more people to clean it up. More money will be wasted. Free food bags would be a good idea too
3 June at 17:27 · Like · 3
David Hartland Just scatter it all over the street like the recycling collectors do! The system in Caerphilly is easier, two wheelie bins, one for rubbish one for recycling, recycling gets sorted at the recycling centre not at the roadside. Its so much easier.
3 June at 17:29 · Like · 10
Samantha Morgan Leave things as they are and fine the individuals who won't or can't be bothered to recycle!!!!
3 June at 17:29 · Like
Marzia Williams I recycle but like what was said earlier you are vary what will get took from week to week
3 June at 17:30 · Like
Lynne Croft The monthly collection sounds best to me. But perhaps a second bin for those with larger families.
Good point stated above RE: recycling for those in flats.
Surprised that's not already in place.
Also increasing the amount that we can recycle seems like a logical step.
No point people complaining that they pay council tax. The vast majority of your council tax is to pay for schools and the police. I'm sure nobody wants those services cut to buffer the cost of fines for waste disposal.
3 June at 17:30 · Like
Paul Lamrick this £100,000 fine,,,,,,who recieves it,the very government who implemented it ???,,an what is done with the so called fines???,,is it go to pay for there extortionate salarys an expences??,,,i would like a reply on this PLEASE?
3 June at 17:31 · Like · 4
Kath Diggle We have smaller bins already in Caerleon. They are useless and they took away a nearly new bin to do God knows what with when they replaced it.I think it's about time that we got rid of The Welsh Assembly, they are as much use as a chocolate tea pot. We need weekly collections and proper recycling boxes with lids. Wait till you get the useless cardboard bags !! Rubbish blowing everywhere.
3 June at 17:31 · Like · 3
Jamie Craufurd I see three options for reducing council costs but no option for increasing the rate of recycling?
3 June at 17:33 · Like · 8
Beth Morgan Watkins Well if it moved to the bags. As soon as I fill it. It will b put outside my garden cause I do not want the mess from cats and dogs ripping the bags open in my garden. Got to think of the health and safety of my family.
3 June at 17:36 · Like · 3
Alun Cottam If recycling is supposed to be 50%, why is the recycling outlet a flimsy tub 10% the size of the bin. Give us a recycling wheelie bin the same size and sort it at the depot. Also, your recycling needs vast improvement.., I took 4 ink toner cartridges from my home a3 laser photo printer to the torfaen dump a few weeks ago and asked where to put them as they are actually 100% recyclable. I was told you don't recycle them and to just dump them in general waste for the landfill. I then had a half hour argument with your staff to convince him that they were from my home and not industrial units. He seemed to think anything larger than the size of a plug was commercial waste. He was also quite obnoxious and rude.
3 June at 17:37 · Like · 3
Tonia Trickey There are 6 of us in my house & I recycle every week 2xblack boxes and cardboard fortnightly my black bin is full to the brim and always have to take a trip to the tip too! How the hell are we going to keep our rubbish down as it's a struggle now? I think it's going to promote fly tipping and rats!!
3 June at 17:43 · Like
Jackie Hawkins Our black box gets more broken every week. Its never emptied properly and every week i pick up what the bin men leave behind. what do we pay for!!!
3 June at 17:44 · Like · 3
Aran Pomroy It's right tho Ross Probert we work in the recycling industry so we know what can be recycled .. We went to new Inn once for bails and it was mixed with cans , nappies and other waste so left um there ..
3 June at 17:45 · Like · 1
Rhiannon Barry We recycle everything and still have an overflowing bin due to materials that cannot be recycled kerbside. We find it extrememly frustrating that when both recycle bins are full, your drivers refuse to collect extra bags and bags of textiles. Perhaps if your employees actually collected what we put out for recycling, my husband or I wouldnt put it in the black bin weeks later?
3 June at 17:45 · Like · 5
Karen Black Why don't you just fine the people not following the rules instead of pandering to them and making it hard for those who do recycle. Those who fill their bins with things they shouldn't will only end up throwing it in their gardens if it goes to a monthly collection cos they just can't be bothered. If you cant expect them to recycle properly what makes you think they'll go to the effort of going to the tip. Instead of causing more problems, sort out those who are making it awkward for you. Really annoys me.
3 June at 17:46 · Like · 1
Claire Cooper Reducing the collections will not reduce the amount of waste produced....people will either take it to New Inn if they have transport or what is more likely fly tip it. Small households of single people/couples will manage fine no doubt but larger families are going to struggle. I already recycle everything and my black bin is full every fortnight...not overflowing but certainly won't be able to last a whole month.
3 June at 17:46 · Like · 2
Simeon Lolin Set fire to bin contain heat exchange into radiators.no waste no collection for landfill
3 June at 17:46 · Like
Ian Pring Fine of £100,000 and how much will it cost to replace every bin ? Wont be long until they monitor how many times you go to the tip and start charging for that .. i now live in risca and have 2 bins and its so much cleaner and easier and no tailbacks of traffic waiting for someone to sort the recycling
3 June at 17:46 · Like · 2
Bev Cooke Edge Leave things the way they are! I recycle everything I can & still have a black bin full every fortnight, for god sake before long they will be getting us to take our own bins to the tip! Get a ****** grip! Not happy!
3 June at 17:47 · Like
Adam Bridgeman I moved into a new house last may (that's 13 months ago) and I still haven't received a recycling box that I've requested 3 times. As a result my black bin in overflowing after a week at the moment
3 June at 17:48 · Like
Lisa Doull I have complained for 4 wks in a row now as our recycle box for the whole street has not been emptied on time, or not at all. What's the point in reducing the amount we can put into the black rubbish bins or changing to monthly collections. If our recycle bin is full and not emptied were are we supposed to put that weeks recycling any suggestions? As I am not keeping it in my house until the box is emptied. I gave 2 small children and I don't want them to be raised thinking it's ok to keep rubbish in the house. If we had been able to recycle everything we can now from the very beginning I think torfaen would be in a better position on recycling. We pay council tax every month for specific services that are not carried out regularly, if you are going to reduce the collections and the amount of waste I think torfaen needs to reduce the tax we pay for an even more limited service. Yes we can take recycling to other areas but places like the stadium are not always usable as I have taken my recycling there over the last 4 weeks and all the bins there were full and overflowing with additional rubbish strewn all over the floor. I also understand that as a council it can not afford a hefty £600,000 fine for not reaching it's targets but more needs to be done to ensure that the recycling is collected each week on time. I certainly don't agree with any of the above options but on the whole I don't think the council will listen to us residents if their minds are made up already one of the above is going to happen weather we like it or not.
3 June at 17:51 · Like · 2
Lucy Evans Monmouthshire system is spot on. 2 "black bags" a fortnight CAN definitely be done for a family of 5
3 June at 17:52 · Like
Christopher Gunter Fly tipping will sky rocket, recycle everything possible, and bin is full every collection.........**** take
3 June at 17:52 · Like · 3
James Davenport Hey. Yeah I got an idea for you council people. Collect the bins every week and keep the bin sizes the same. Make everyone happy.
3 June at 17:52 · Like · 3
James Davenport and dont leave half of it all over the road
3 June at 17:53 · Like · 1
Gemma Croome-davies Please acknowledge that not all households are the same size, there are 2 adults and 2 adult-sized children in my house, we recycle every possible thing but still mostly fill our black bin every fortnight, we could never manage with a smaller bin!
3 June at 17:55 · Like · 3
Debi Alexander All ur gona do is cause more and more fly tipping my black bin in fit to burst as is before its emptied what I meant to do tell my kids and granddaughter not to make rubbish I recycle everything I possibly can if u collect less all ur gona get is more people collecting dumped waste
3 June at 17:55 · Like · 1
Alison Sutton Moore Better recycling containers are needed. Blue bag is awful and kept on blowing away. My family away have different colour bins.
3 June at 17:56 · Edited · Like
Robert Samuel I need it to stay as it is. We recycle everything that you allow us to recycle, and my black bin is still full to the brim as we are a family of five. Please do not go down the route of bags on the road, as this encourages vermin!
3 June at 17:57 · Like · 4
Mike Rees Rather than squeezing us who already pay council tax for a reduced service - concentrate on those making the packaging in the first place! Also how is it that an elderly couple has the same waste allowance as a family with two children?
3 June at 17:58 · Like · 4
Caroline Pimm Kiff Boddy I recycle everything that can be, my black bin is still always full !!
3 June at 17:59 · Like · 1
Vanessa Holmes Was Wells theres 5 in my house...we recycle everything we can and our black bin is still over flowing when its picked up!!! those living alone or smaller families will obv have less rubbish/recycling than larger families like mine...this is never taken into account! I do agree people should recycle more...but by cutting down our collections you will see more fly tipping etc... must be another solution surely!!!
3 June at 17:59 · Like · 1
Sharon Sampson At one point u used to.recycle bags I always included plastic bags that ur toilet rolls came in or frozen foods they amount to quite abit but they no longer take them at the curbside anymore why is that they were recyclable at one point u never no wat to put in black box it always changes must depend on the mood on the ones who collect it I try and recycle has much as possible but black bin is still full before fortnight ends
3 June at 18:00 · Like
Ross Probert Hi torfaen i am from a house with 6 family we recycle every think u let us and we still fill black bin every fortnight so i u think we can do what u wont please tell me how
3 June at 18:00 · Like
Sean Williams Ps . Do the mayor and mayoress recycle their old clothes when they use their clothing expenses? Paid for by us.
3 June at 18:01 · Like · 1
Sean Williams We recycle all we can yet with a family we still can't afford to miss a collection. Living near the canal we avoid the risk of attracting rats by not leaving any scraps accessible to them, so definitely not a fan of bin bags. As earlier comment they will be left out on the road not on my property. All my post come through my letterbox off the council bi lingual on separate letters instead of double sided printing, that's such a waste and ends up in my bin too.
3 June at 18:01 · Like · 3
Debi Alexander Rats will be happy that's all I'm saying
3 June at 18:01 · Like · 3
Debbie Potter Well torfaen out of over150 comments u have only made 2 ! Just goes to show how much effort u make . Pathetic idea
3 June at 18:03 · Like · 1
Andrew King Will my rates go down if we go to monthly pick ups?
3 June at 18:03 · Like
Malcolm Read David Hartland couldn't agree with you more. This is how they do it in the U.S. & it works.
3 June at 18:05 · Edited · Like
Andrew CoolerthanGemma Hughes This black bin business is a joke, I would understand if it wasn't for the extortionate council tax you take out of my pocket every month. I've never asked for any council tax reductions, I own my own home, me and my partner work full time jobs. All I want is a proper fortnightly collection of my rubbish bin, I'm fed up of bending over and taking a shafting from torfaen council whenever someone finds a way to cut costs and hide behind the guise of saving the planet through recycling.
3 June at 18:06 · Like · 4
Dazmondo Tyndall The one thing you are taking Torfaen, is the ****!!
3 June at 18:08 · Like · 4
Barry Jones I'm happy to organise a formal petition asking the council to investigate the other options available to meet the targets. Clearly everyone in the borough would sign it, this thread is unlikely to be accepted as being representative of the electorates views.
3 June at 18:08 · Like · 8
Wayne Parry The council don't ****** listen they are run by incompetent fools I swear a child could do a better job and why post this up without replying to our views? How have you got £750.000 to waste? I'm sure out bins work fine unlike your staff who can't empty a bin without leaving a mess. Name and shame the ****** in charge how out of date are you people? Really I would love a reply I would even volunteer to train your staff on how to bend down and pick up the mess they leave !
3 June at 18:10 · Like · 5
Lauren Mary Louise Fowler Do they recycle nappies because that's what our bin is full with! Couldn't cut anything else.
3 June at 18:12 · Like
Barbara Atherton None of their ideas are fair on us. Good grief, I shall leave it pile up in the street, I don't drive so can't take surplas to the tip.
3 June at 18:13 · Like · 1
Sarah Jenkins Option one is a complete waste of time. You are seriously suggesting spending thousands on replacing all our bins with a smaller one.. What a waste of money.
Option two is a joke.. Black bags on the kerb = field day for cats, stray dogs, foxes .. Oh and I live next to a canal so hello rats.
Option 3 is actually just option 1 without replacing everyone's bins.
All that will happen is that everyone will need to take black bags to the tip once a week ...
There will be no extra recycling .. It's not physically possible.
Why not spend the money you want to waste on increasing the types of things we can recycle ???
No no that would make sense. I need to move out of Torfaen....
3 June at 18:15 · Like · 5
Chris Jeffries Monthly collections? U r f'in joking? I can't even have a bin because of house position, fortnightly is already a joke and now u want to reduce it to two bags a fortnight, fair play wat a bunch of idiots
3 June at 18:15 · Like · 3
Chris Jeffries Sarah Jenkins I totally agree, leaving wud be the best option!
3 June at 18:16 · Like
Rhi Elston More than happy to recycle and support Torfaen's green agenda! But council must be realistic on its aims if they are to hit targets. Larger recycling containers are needed, we put bags and bags alongside the black box every week, sometimes they will get collected other times they don't, cardboard bags also need to get collected weekly alongside the black box. The council needs to do more research in the back offices and single occupancy households should have smaller bins, I know a number of oaps who struggle to pull the bins and usually they are half empty so would welcome smaller ones. Training refuse collectors would also be a good place to start, they very often won't even look inside a black bag at the side of the bins even though they are full of bottles and tins or extra carbboard! Would also be interested to know how torfaen aims to combat illegal dumping as this will definitely increase!
3 June at 18:16 · Like · 4
Stel Pryce How much will it cost to replace every perfectly good 240 litre black bin with a smaller useless one?? Who's Council Tax is paying for that waste of money?? And will the old bins be recycled!!!!
3 June at 18:17 · Like · 4
Steven Jones Don't think it's going to work myself, as a family of 4 we recycle and our bin is full every fortnight so I think fly tipping will increase
3 June at 18:20 · Like · 4
Carl Taylor Absolutely crazy idea,I'm assuming with the maggots and rats that will follow you have the resources to counter act this problem? Or does your budget not stretch that far? Going off the point as well but have a word with your collectors, I have not seen such a pedantic bunch of staff. Oh I'm sorry I put my orange juice carton in the black box, we can't take that, absolutely pathetic. I mean they don't look over worked when I witness what they get up to when I wait for my train at cwmbran station. Usually entails lots of burgers being consumed and the containers thrown on the floor ( great example set boys ) swearing, at least 2 swear words on average per sentence and wolf whistling at females. Can you even complain about a council? I'm pretty sure if you did they would punish you like instructing their bin collectors not to pick up my orange juice carton, you show them torfaen!
3 June at 18:21 · Like · 1
Kevin Lloyd So let me get this right we have same collection but aloud hardly any rubbish or wait longer for the same bin. Why pay council tax then. I got 3 young children which the council still haven't provided us with the right bins. ****** joke.
3 June at 18:22 · Like
Toniann Phillips What about those with children in nappies? Cardiff offer a nappy disposal service as my black bin would of otherwise been made up with nappies. Summer is awful with fortnightly maggots flies etc. Whats the point in paying council tax when the service is poor. Im still waiting for a food bin
3 June at 18:25 · Like
Craig Webb After registering to vote, I realised there wasn't a fourth option. Obviously I won't choose to spend £750,000 to renew black bins, black bags and their hazards are the reason for black bins and so by default, option C a monthly collection is the only option. This is contrived. What makes it frustrating is you'll make it seem like the people had a chance to have their say but anyone who votes is shoehorned into option C.
Dishonest.
3 June at 18:25 · Like · 4
Craig Webb Barry jones, yes please.
3 June at 18:27 · Like
Mary Leighton Will we have a reduction on our ever increasing council tax then. ?
3 June at 18:29 · Like · 4
Ian Davies Total bollox my black bin is alway full every fortnight and I can guarentee there's atleast two bags left in my garden. Wot a bunch of halfwits. Monthly bin emptying will not work. I get maggots coming out of my bin already. SORT YOURSELVES OUT council F F S.
3 June at 18:30 · Like · 4
Erin Roberts If the recycling was collected it would help! Cardboard hasn't been collected today. Is that weekly or fortnightly? Also, Torfaen have only recently started collecting things like yoghurt pots and butter tubs so some people might not know. Maybe if Torfaen started collecting more recyclables sooner and provided residents with bags for food waste they would be able to achieve their targets without the need to cause great inconvenience to everyone who lives here.
3 June at 18:32 · Like · 3
Cheryl Louiise Alexander Will you provide a collection service for nappies for the families with babies? Will you decrease the amount of council tax people pay? Why should we have the pay full council tax if we are made to take our own rubbish to a tip? Plus where is this money coming from for new bins? Council are a joke.
3 June at 18:33 · Like
Juliette Coates Torfaen, you are coming at this from the wrong angle. Start looking at the councils throughout the UK who's residents recycle the most. In 2012, that was Bournemouth. I would strongly suggest that we adopt their system. The large black bin becomes the new recycling bin for cardboard, tins, glass everything. This gets rid of the hated black boxes and cardboard bags. Keep the green bin and brown bin as they currently are. Introduce a smaller, differently coloured bin for non-recyclable waste, but keep the fortnightly collections.
3 June at 18:35 · Like · 9
Nicky Cuniff Why don't you just do a bin for the recycling bin for bottles etc instead if the little poxy thing we got now. That would solve one money matter as then there would be enough room in the bin
3 June at 18:38 · Like
Suzanne Parry-Price I recycle everything. There are four of us in the household and our black bin is approx 3/4 full on collection day. The people who don't recycle already are unlikely to start now. They have no sense of personal responsibility and will either dump, fly tip or use neighbours bins. These people don't care about the environment or targets. The council have proposed options that are not acceptable and have offered no incentive to residents to recycle. Why can't a reward/incentive be offered to the households who do fill their recycling bins? These are the people who are obviously helping the council meet its targets. Likewise, households who don't recycle and don't use recycling bins could and should be penalised. The system needs to acknowledge and reward in some way the households who do help the council meet targets and not just penalise everyone because of the non-recycling households.
3 June at 18:39 · Edited · Like · 2
Angharad Williams "We are calling for residents to have their say" so why a won't TCBC listen to what the residents are saying? We are saying we don't want ANY of the above options. My council tax is £1200 per annum, there are no local amenities in ty canol. There's never any grit in the bins, pot holes in the roads, half of the streetlights are turned off, and kerbside recycling is never done properly! Now you want to reduce our refuse collections? JOKE doesn't even begin to describe it!
3 June at 18:41 · Like · 2
Karen Simmonds If you actually recycled the stuff that people put in their black boxes instead of leaving it all over the streets on collection day you might actually hit the target! I know of someone who asked one of your operatives to pick up something he dropped only to be met with shrugged shoulders and a load of abuse. We make an effort to recycle but doesn't seem like your operatives have the same care so why are we being penalised???
3 June at 18:42 · Edited · Like · 4
Kirstie Jones Joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 June at 18:46 · Like
Deb Evans Pay the fine with the money it'll cost to supply new bins and dispose of the old ones and leave the collections ALONE!!!!!
3 June at 18:46 · Like · 4
Rhiannon Fowler larger recycling bins needed, more items (such as carrier bags / plastic wrapping / microwave or meat trays) should be included for recycling and then maybe black bins could be smaller, but until then everyone fills their bin already and people do not wish to sit in a queue at the tip (which doesn't solve the recycling issue anyway). Money could be saved elsewhere, perhaps stop printing bi-lingual leaflets and keep them separate with an opt-in if you want the Welsh version sent.
3 June at 18:51 · Like · 4
Rach Ford Rouse Ridiculous idea. Our household recycles everything that can be recycled, but we still have rubbish, too much of it. The manufacturers who do not use enough recyclable packaging need to be tackled. Not the public. (Not all of us anyway)
3 June at 18:52 · Like · 2
Andrew Nige Davies This seem crazy. No way can we have monthly bin collections. Dogs, cats and vermin would have a field day! Black bags would also attract such animals and monthly collections in the bin we have now! It's full after a week as it is!! Will we get a reduction in council tax due to the reduction in service?
3 June at 18:53 · Like · 2
Richard Lomas Have filled 4 recycle boxes a week and still fill black bin within a week and cardboard bag overflowing and blowing everywhere may as well just chuck it on the street. Or out the civic centre
3 June at 18:53 · Like · 1
Nigel Taylor Perhaps the supermarkets and shops should help with the need to cut down on unnecessary packaging first
3 June at 18:53 · Like · 2
Carol Passaro I am sorry but I agree with majority!
1) You took the weekly black bin collection from us, made it fortnightly..
2) any extra refuse you make residents take to the local refuse tip in their family cars which in my opinion is totally against all health and hygiene protocols. Which in turn ends up putting more traffic on the roads, using more fuel etc etc etc... Yeah that's good for te environment isn't it?!?!
3) you provided us with weekly recycling boxes which for a large family is too small.
When the recycling men collect if they drop anything on the floor they leave it.. When I pulled one of them up on it he said "quote" ''once it falls to the floor it is classed as rubbish and I am not allowed to pick it up'' yet if we were do to it we would get an on the spot fine!!!
4) what on earth do we pay so much council tax for??
Council hardly maintain the roads, street lighting, drains etc and the public have to do most of the work!!!
Telling you all... You will push the public too far and end up with a rebellion on your hands!!!
Sorry just my opinion
3 June at 18:54 · Edited · Like · 9
Amanda Warburton What is the point of having consultation when we can only choose from the options provided which are all rubbish. Would it not have been a good idea to see if we could come up with a better plan
3 June at 18:55 · Like · 1
Tristan Southway I have written in already in regards to and the story goes like this (for public interest)
Fortnightly bin had not been collected so mum phoned in:-
Service reception:- we will not collect for another fortnight
Mother:- ok well I well empty the bin on the street as my bin is full and we pay the same for it to be collected as others.
Services reception:- that is classed as fly tipping and you will be fined.
Mother:- so be it, phoning the local councillor within hours this is collected.
Hypocrisy now being that it's going to be ok with the said bin bags at times said two fortnightly...is that not now sanctioning fly tipping with permissions??
My point is we pay council taxes for forever diminishing services, lacklustre at that.
Is it the case we keep paying while it's stated the recycling is sold abroad. A business within a business so it seems, making money off the backs of those who already pay yet don't reflect this in services!!
It's about time they looked at recycling those in the jobs at the highest level within the council, sending them to the scrap heap instead!!
Think Facebook should start a Torfaen no services no pay page, with all refusing to for fit monthly monies...it happened before with poll taxes and can be done again!!!
Ps while you cut one service you gain more strain on others like rats, infectious diseases etc has the HSE and environmental agencies been made aware of those impacts on peoples lives???
Facts:- cannot keep the streets free and running in times of adverse weather
Do not maintain over grown areas in summer, roads or paths.
Do not see police on the streets with stations taken away or sold.
Rubbish collections even recycling staff do not care and this reflects on our streets
Close our leisure centres and restrict bus times
All in all your savings will be well spent on the local heads of council and unnecessary staffing at the top end!!!!
3 June at 18:55 · Like · 9
Gareth Charles White Our council tax rises again and we get less from our council. When will we stand up to the councillors and say enough is enough . The roads do not get repaired they continually waste money on pointless projects , turn off street lights, now change the rubbish collection.
3 June at 18:59 · Like
Rachael Donne We as a family of four recycle everything. The food goes in the brown food bin, cardboard in blue bag, all currently recyclable waste in the open bins and our black bin is still full.
So please tell me which one of those silly suggestions are going to work!!!!!!!!!!!
3 June at 19:04 · Like · 6
Simon Jenkins I would like to see the option of farm closing and us having basic services TBH 400k can go a long way in recycling / lollipop persons / school transport / roads / pavements / bins / street lighting - sad thing is they all get told off if they dis da farm ---- sad world people can allow themselves to be bullied - some need to grow a pair .........
3 June at 19:04 · Like
Dee Puckett I have just gone onto the council consultation page. It does not give you the option to "not" select any of the three suggestions being put forward or to include any comments what so ever. And despite this being sold as necessary to increase recycling provides no potential recycling figures only money savings. Families are finding it hard already having the reduced collections, and many like myself make additional trips to the tip. Black bags on the side of the road not only take us back to an antiquated Wales with bags at the sides of roads for rat and birds to rip open, but for food etc to leak, and foul smells. A smaller bin will not be big enough even though we recycle everything possible and a collection once a month with current bin is not acceptable either. So sorry Torfaen your consultation is not really a consultation as it does not provide an option that is viable or the option to explain why tax paying citizens do not support any of the options provided. Citizens need to contact their local elected members to highlight these facts so our voices can be heard. Otherwise decisions will be made anyway.
3 June at 19:06 · Like · 5
Sarah Rouf Please don't go to monthly collection,I'm struggling as it is.can only see it causing a rodent increase
3 June at 19:07 · Like · 4
Chloe Anne Barker ッ It's a shambles. The refuse collectors make and leave more mess than we make in the road. It's just not good enough. We recycle like many others and still our black bin is full. Once a month is an absolute joke. How is it logical to issue new smaller black bins. Where is the common sense in that. Spend more money to reduce services and still put up our council tax!!!! Come on now ! Torfaen will be a health hazard and it will cause other problems in our neighbourhoods.
3 June at 19:08 · Like · 3
Nichola Davies Absurd!!!! I already recycle everything that will be recycled by Torfaen & my bin is still always full at the end of a fortnight. The only way to get more recycled is to add more options of what you can recycle. Each week I fill 2/3 black recycle tubs, put up my food recycling & a blue bag of cardboard/tetra packs stuffed full every 2 weeks. Tbh I'm gobsmacked at this proposal. Surely this needs to be targeted at the people who don't bother to recycle.
3 June at 19:11 · Like · 4
Gareth Ponting What Tristan said. With working families able to with hold payment to the council and the new universal credit for those on benefits people can make them act. That or you refuse to pay it.
I read statuses where people were saying if you don't vote in those elections then you have no right to moan. Well I think if everybody feels so strongly about this then act and not let them continue to get away with it
3 June at 19:11 · Like · 1
Samantha Anne Davies Simple, keep the blck and green bins as normal then replace the stupid blue bag and black box for the blue and brown wheely bins that other councils seem to use and empty them monthly!! Its not rocket science you know!!!
3 June at 19:11 · Like · 7
Simon Jenkins Sadly has proven in the past - They have already know what they are going to do - consultation is just a formality - when have they ever listened to us - the people that pay them - believe it or not they all work for us ^^ They see that differently - But anyways, a big round of applause to you all that vote them in each year hope you love the way they are returning the favour to you all, there again last vote they prob. sweating over those results
3 June at 19:11 · Like · 3
Samantha Anne Davies Oh and btw in stockport they don't allow you to use black bags. They provide a roll of clear bags...
3 June at 19:13 · Like
Micro Smith Burn everything pay nothing
3 June at 19:14 · Like · 1
Sarah Wheatstone Would be nice to actually have a black bin!
3 June at 19:15 · Like
Mathew Gould A little more effort on the part of the recycling collectors wouldn't go amiss! This week we put out two bags of old clothing, one was taken and one was left behind despite containing the same items. What was left went in the black bin which is now, once again, full after just a week!
3 June at 19:15 · Like
Sophie Amato Italian bin men collect three times a week......so can't say it's too much for them,
3 June at 19:16 · Like · 2
Nichola Davies This may work for a household of 1 or 2 people but not for a family of 5. How is that even logical in someone's brain?
3 June at 19:18 · Like · 1
Karen Evans We are a family of 5, recycle everything and have no problem with overflowing bins. In fact it's our collection day tomorrow and the bin is only half full. We never have to make extra trips to the tip. We don't do anything special other than the fact that we don't really buy much, we have basic needs and not alot of spare cash! Not that I would recommend that as a solution!
I would not want to go back to black bags though but don't have a problem with the other 2 suggestions.
I definitely agree with other people saying that excess packaging on products needs to be dealt with.
3 June at 19:18 · Like · 2
Jeanette Stone if the recycling collectors picked up what they dropped the targets would be met if they cant be bothered why should we bother
3 June at 19:19 · Like · 3
Barry Jones
3 June at 19:20 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Gemma Keogh I don't live in torfaen but in caerphilly so am sure it'll spread to us soon! I think all of the above are ridiculous!! A monthly collection are they for real????? What does our council tax pay for?? I think the council need to have words with the manufacturers in supermarkets about reducing packaging before they 'tell' us what it will be!! Let's face it the public will have no say as per
3 June at 19:20 · Like · 2
Adam Legge Who ever came up with this should be shot dead on sight
3 June at 19:20 · Like · 4
Kate Williams We recycle but if the packaging our food comes in is not recyclable surly the supermarkets should be hit and not those of us who pay council tax!
3 June at 19:25 · Like · 1
Rachel George Im worried about rubish impact on streets and rats and surely we pay enough council tax to warrent a decent bin service !
3 June at 19:25 · Like · 1
Gavin Evans Torfaen. Start putting people before profit for a change. Your there for us not yourselves.
3 June at 19:26 · Like · 3
Bob Roberts Less refuse collection, but increase of council tax no doubt.. Maybe the increase will be due to the increase in fly tipping!! Maybe Torfaen should invest in supporting households to recycle instead of punishing them. I constantly try to recycle, yet always have it rejected
3 June at 19:29 · Like · 2
Dee Puckett... This is the web link for all of the elected councillors I have just emailed mine. People won't participate in the consultation due to the options, by emailing you can make your voice heard.
3 June at 19:31 · Edited · Like · 3 · Remove Preview
Jo Wanklyn Give us adequate cardboard and plastic facilities!!!! That blue bag and blank box are a joke!
3 June at 19:35 · Like · 5
Jenna Stapleton My mother in law recycles everything.. she has 4 kerb side recycling boxes a cardboard bag brown food bins a green wheelie bin and a black wheelie bin and her large black bin is Still over flowing each fortnight none of these options are viable and I can imagine this being the case for many families.
3 June at 19:37 · Like · 2
Sian Legge we all know whats going to happen, you will do what you want to do anyway (whichevers cheapest which will be the monthly collection) There will be rubbish everywhere and our bins will stink
3 June at 19:38 · Like · 2
Barry Jones Please join this group, if people want a voice on this it will take a little organisation:
3 June at 19:42 · Like · 2 · Remove Preview
Sian Legge just emailed my Councillor also
3 June at 19:45 · Like · 1
Rhys Phillips so their putting the council tax up again yet my wages are not increasing. also they decide to take our large bins and replace them with small ones, this is going to cost thousands. or if they make it a monthly collection does that mean that the people who are emptying them on a fortnightly basis will have to go part time? my bin is full every fortnight also my recycle bins. maybe make more refuge points around the local area where we can take our general waste?
3 June at 19:48 · Like
Adam Legge I would also like to add that if it goes to monthly collection my bins will b living at the end of the street coz they will hum and the cats can drag it around your street instead of my garden... Then whoever empties the bins will have to b supplied with litter pickers
3 June at 19:51 · Like
Amanda Tee Davies If Torfaen actually collected ALL recycable materials then the black bins would be less full. As it is 'we only take this kind of plastic or this kind of glass' attitude means that what they refuse to take is either LEFT at the kerbside or strewn over the roads. We as a family of four make every effort to ensure that we recycle all we can but it is very disheartening to have what we havesent for recycling left behind. Try explaining that to kids who have 'recycle reuse reduce' rammed down their throats in school. Councillors need to take a good hard look at how recycling is managed so beaytifully in countries like France and Germany.
3 June at 19:52 · Like · 2
Llian Norman Fly tipping was becoming a thing of the past, if we are not careful it will pick back up, not even sure why this is even being discussed, all bins should be collected every fortnight, what are the council thinking !!!
3 June at 19:56 · Like
Dee Puckett Also the council know how many people are in a household how about a common sense approach with smaller bins to single occupancy residences? At least as an option for consultation? The only three options available are not viable. Just spoke to neighbours who knew nothing about this consultation how many thousands of our residents also won't even know this is going on until it's too late??
3 June at 19:57 · Like
Steve Hewitson What a joke
3 June at 20:06 · Like
Annmarie Harris I live in charston and if you walk up the lane towards Thornhill the area of trees is full of rubbish where residents are already throwing bags of rubbish. If it goes to monthly its going to get a lot worse.
3 June at 20:09 · Like
Madeleine Taylor Got 6 people.in my house n 1 black bin I used to have 1 big 1 small but thus was Youtaken away with no explanation also why dont we have a wheely bin for our recycling as the blk boxes r a nightmare mine is always getting blown all over my garden or all over the carpark flys n rats were a big problem last summer dread to think if this is going to change to monthly!!
3 June at 20:12 · Like
Kirsty McCarthy They announced they will pay to kill rats... Now all this extra waste laying around is doing to cause rats which we will be ridden with!! This is the most silliest idea, bar defacing the children's graves, that you have ever thought up!!!
3 June at 20:12 · Like
Kirsty McCarthy How about giving bin sizes according to how many people live in a house. One person living alone could manage on a small bin but us (family of five) defo couldn't and we recycle as much as is allowed, my baby uses reusable nappys in the day!! But my bin still is full every fortnight!
3 June at 20:14 · Like · 1
Ben Rapier Then I suggest you jolly well fine the companies that continue to sell products in non recyclable packaging Torfaen Borough Council... (that's Tesco, Morrisons and Asda). I also sense some scaremongering going on you naughty sausages. If you google "councils to be fined £100,000 for every 1%" the only results relate to TBC.
3 June at 20:16 · Like · 4
Rachel Louise Hine Will you make a special collection for nappies? Don't fancy them in a bin all month in the summer! And no I'm not using cloth, I work 50 hours a week and don't have time!
3 June at 20:18 · Like
David Perham People will start dumping their bags into other people's bins when theirs get full.
3 June at 20:18 · Like · 1
Claire Cooper Whatever money Torfaen thinks it is going to save it won't...cleaning up after fly tippers is going to be very costly...and fly tip is what alot will do!! Larger families are never going to manage, black bags of rubbish will be accumulating and attracting vermin which poses a health hazard...seriously council tax going up services going down how do you expect people to respond to ridiculous suggestions!
3 June at 20:18 · Like · 4
Mark Smith I'm all for recycling more torfaen ,,,but one small box for all of it FFs ,, council tax going up & up ,,just out of curiosity where is all our money going,,I can see the Black Plague coming back
3 June at 20:19 · Like · 3
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of recycling processes.
3 June at 20:22 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Kelly Jayne Allen This is ****** ridiculous, we're having to burn our own rubbish as it is! And I agree with an earlier post, waking the dog around fairwater this afternoon we saw a disgusting amount of black bags full of rubbish thrown in the trees where people just haven't got the space! If this is going to happen then yes, supermarkets MUST start using recycled materials more. I recycle what I can, it's not through any fault of my own that some of the items I buy are unable to be recycled!! If you want us to decide this then put a tidy case forward stating what YOU as a council are doing to help!
3 June at 20:32 · Like · 3
Kim Richardson So not only are all these bins a blot on the landscape they will be a revolting stinking blot on the landscape! Can you imagine the stench in hot weather! Is it hygienic even? Black bags will attract animals and don't they look lovely with contents sprawled on our pavements! And by the way not everyone drives and can get to a tip which you have made less accessible by introducing steep steps and are you targeting businesses aswell as households?
3 June at 20:32 · Like
Gareth Cooper So everybody on here can see all the problems this will bring but torfaen council can't ? Says it all really. What the hell am I paying council tax for ? Muppets to sit in an office and come up with stupid ideas.
3 June at 20:33 · Like · 1
Nathan Vowles How about a large recycling bin as Caerphilly council offer/facilitate. This works very well, bags aren't really an option, unless your going to employ staff as street cleaners like the old days. As bags get easily ripped open by cats and dogs. Go and see the state of the streets in The Rhondda on bin day, and tell me this is how you wish Torfaen to become? Think on TCBC!!!
3 June at 20:38 · Like · 1
Emma Jones This may have been asked already but I would like to know how much it would cost to replace all of the current 240 litre bins with 140 litre bins for the whole of Torfaen if this became the preferred option, because let's face it we don't want rubbish outside our houses for up to a month. Is this option actually viable considering the extra costs? Also, would the current black bins be recycled or would they end up in landfill and contribute towards what we are trying to reduce?
I understand the need to increase recycling but none of these options are viable. There has to be alternative which meets the needs of Torfaen.
3 June at 20:40 · Like · 5
Margaret Horner As far as I am concerned black bags are a no go. The birds and roaming dogs already have a go at the bags and food bins and leave a dreadful mess. The monthly bin collection is fine for couples, but not for families. We rarely send a full bin out on a once monthly basis because we don't need it. The recycle targets will not be met so easily on a monthly collection basis I would suspect also. I would also imagine that having a french company running the recycle unit in new inn and who are totally unhelpful. What happens when a new house buyer has to clear unsightly and so called non domestic waste. The new owner should surely not be expected to pay for clearing someone else's accumulating rubbish. They already make money on it by recycling it again.
3 June at 20:45 · Like · 2
Richard Edwards Are they seriously considering this? The cost of replacement bins (let's face it the least ludicrous option), and with the tip imposing new rules, the mountain will be scattered with fly tippers.... Families of three or four have no hope of reducing by 50%
3 June at 20:47 · Like · 1
Jo Thewelshhousewife My concern in all this is that Torfaen have probably already made up their mind to switch to a monthly collection and this ''consultation'' is just a formality ... When the weekly collections ceased, i was very sceptical about how a fortnightly collection would work but it actually works fine , don't fix something that isn't broke Torfaen ! These three ''options'' are ludicrous !
3 June at 20:52 · Like · 3
Steve Bendell One word, UNACEPTABLE! OK a couple more, unworkable, unhygienic, rubbish rubbish everywhere but not in bins.
3 June at 20:54 · Like
Mark Eley plenty of comments on this emotive issue then Torfaen ??
3 June at 20:56 · Like · 1
Claire Telfer Its an absolute **** take im a family of 5 and my bin is full in 3days
3 June at 21:00 · Like · 2
David Max Williams Sort out the recycling black bin system - could be much better. The bins are rubbish, and are collected at front door when general waste is to rear.
I also think once a month is too long for general waste to hang around.
I fully understand that we need to reduce landfill, but it has to be palatable to people, I think that making recycled waste a bit tidier and slicker would increase people's enthusiasm for it.
Having battered dirty boxes slung over the place is not good enough.
Investing money in new bins seems a hopeless waste of money and resource, and black bags is like going back in time...
3 June at 21:07 · Like · 5
Kevin Jones If it goes to monthly then we are getting less of a service so will we be paying less council tax? I very much doubt it!!!!!! Totally insane ideas,leave it as it is,wake up Torfaen!
3 June at 21:07 · Like · 3
Gavin Gould Absolute ****** joke it's ad enough service as it is. Sometimes the bin men are to lazy to walk to get sum bins not near the rest so that means rubbish pulled up outside houses for weeks on end. Ultimately it's the government making a quick buck again with there robbing legislation. Where the hell is my council tax going?? On what??!!!!!!
3 June at 21:07 · Like · 2
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
3 June at 21:08 · Like · Remove Preview
Donna Tucker This is an absolute joke..... My black bin is full every fornight & I recycle EVERYTHING.... Tbh I don't know what I pay my council tax for anymore! U r taking our money & we get nothing in return !! JOKE
3 June at 21:09 · Like · 1
Barry Jones Also can I suggest that you share the councils link on your timeline if you haven't already? Part of the strategy of announcing on Facebook may be that things disappear from the posters timeline quite quickly, sharing will ensure that doesn't happen.
3 June at 21:10 · Like
Mark Anslow At least Torfaen Council has asked for your opinion! Newport Council changed my bin for the smaller 140 litre version about a month ago and now it means I have to go the tip every now and then. It's just as well I pass there on my way to work in the morning. Stop moaning and just get on with it. We've had to adapt quickly as there was no other option. You all know the council are going to do change the size of the bins whatever you all say!
3 June at 21:12 · Like
Donna Little Newport council have been using the smaller bin for months now I manage with a fortnightly and there are 4 adults living in my house and to be honest I could prob manage if it only got emptied evey three weeks so there's no excuse !! Stop moaning and get recycling
3 June at 21:15 · Like · 1
Gerard Hancock A good use of "community payback" would seem then to be employing those who are sentenced to community service, sifting through refuse for recyclables before it sent to a landfill site.
3 June at 21:21 · Like · 1
Amy Louise Lloyd Why not make flats recycle??????
3 June at 21:21 · Like · 3
Richard Edwards That's the spirit... Rolling over is always the best option
3 June at 21:21 · Like · 2
Kevin Mason Any chance of a Road show on a weekend?
3 June at 21:29 · Like · 1
Michael Jones It's up to you to decide which option to choose.
3 June at 21:36 · Like
Yvonne Fry Blacks sacks left out. Totally NOT acceptable! ...
3 June at 21:39 · Like · 1
Antony Lovis How about a novel idea - we put everything in one bin that gets collected weekly - like we used to - then they use some of the extortionate council tax to sort it out if they want. I'd be happy for people on job seekers to sort it in return for their cash + bonuses.
3 June at 21:40 · Like · 7
Hayley Bristow-matthews And will we see a reduction in our council tax?
3 June at 21:44 · Like · 1
Leigh Skuse At the very least the black boxes should be repos ed for larger bins preferably with a lid. I'm all for recycling however they aren't big enough. I sent mine Monday full to the brim with 3 carrier bags if sorted recycled stuff on the side of it (it would have taken the bin men seconds to empty them as they do the box, instead the left them out. I came home to recyclable rubbish strewn all over the area outside our houses. If you expect more recycling you need to provide better facilities to do it.
A monthly collection for non recyclable waste/or smaller bins Wont work at all.
I recycle everything physically possible and still find the fortnightly collection isn't enough. You are going to have fly tippers rife along with people being forced to have rotting rubbish left in bags in gardens/communal areas that are going to cause further mess from animals ripping through then, infestations etc
I don't even see how you can justify the cost of replacing them to smaller bins. Whatever savings in the long term you predict you make will be counter balanced by increased costs for litter pickers, tackling fly tipping, infestations etc etc
If you want to encourage more recycling then provide facilities to make it feasible- black boxes replaced with larger bins with lids and actual plastic bins to take cardboard instead of the awful bags that end up tipped over with soggy cardboard all over the place.
3 June at 21:51 · Edited · Like · 10
Sammy-Jo Rosser Don't Torfaen sell the all recycled items????are you not making enough money from council tax etc to pay the fine if you are over your targets????why is our council tax ever increasing and services being cut? Does this mean we can have a reduction in our council tax???i very much doubt it!!i recycle I would like a larger back box with no change to my black bin collection unless there is some sort of reduction in my council tax!
3 June at 22:09 · Like · 1
Elliott Charles You cannot recycle ****** nappies..!!!!
3 June at 22:16 · Like · 1
Samantha Bedford-Dupré There is no way I could recycle more than I already do... Black box, food waste and cardboard bag...We still fill a black bin every fortnight. We are a family...not a large family either!
3 June at 22:20 · Like · 1
Hayley Lorimar Normally helps if u send recycling boxes to ppl 5months I'm waiting now, n all I get from you is increased council tax for the privilege of me doing the job myself, n a huge pot hole to try and avoid coming out of my road! Top job.. Too many keyboard warriors, not doing there job properly
3 June at 22:22 · Edited · Like
Lyndon Jones obviousl set to see more fly tipping in borough, some one needs to get a grip of the waste dept
3 June at 22:33 · Like
Jay Davies Why not do what Caerphilly do. Two bins. One bin for EVERYTHING recyclable and one bin for the rest.
monthly collection of bins? Great idea that one is. What clown thought that was a good idea.
3 June at 22:41 · Like · 6
John Macca How big are these refuse bags.
3 June at 22:45 · Like
Robert Pittas Think the roadside recycling collection should put more on the lorries rather than dropping it on the road & leaving it their. Most families could fill a black bag a day
3 June at 22:46 · Like
Pat Passaro Torfaen dual carriageways and road sides are already overflowing with rubbish which feels like we live in a giant bin! . If bin collections are reduced people may throw even more rubbish on kerbs than they do now. Will less collections mean a corresponding reduction in council tax? .... I doubt it!
3 June at 22:54 · Like
Lyndon Jones just e mailed my 2 local councillors regaurding this outrageous proposal,never contacted them before so if they can afford to lose my lifetime voteing for them so be it,
3 June at 23:07 · Like
Toddler Sale well i will be putting my bin bags up on the street until they are collected if this comes in as no way am i having bags of rubbish piled up in my back yard for my children to play around !!!
3 June at 23:10 · Like · 1
Hollie Hot-lips Good bye fortnightly collection Hello fly tipping
3 June at 23:15 · Like · 1
Shane Hopkins Option 4: council makes its own mind up, upsets everyone and fly tipping increases overnight and council tax increased to cover costs again! Rat population gets bigger fat cats at the top get richer... did I miss anything? If the council can't get it right with what we are doing now god help us on their next adventure.
3 June at 23:16 · Like · 4
Caroline James David Simmonds I agree Amy Louise Lloydmy sister lives in a flat and they aren't offered any option (other than taking it to the tip themselves) to recycle! Now we're being penalised where as all the flats in torfaen could be helping toward the target!
3 June at 23:27 · Like
Yoan Jones It seems to me that TBC have lost the plot. Firstly the recycling boxes currently used are too small, secondly the team that empty then are under so much pressure to empty the bins they smash them against the side of the vehicle to empty the bins they break in the cold weather as the plastic becomes brittle. Why don't TBC invests in a state of the art recycling facility where 100% of household waste is taken, fragmented, sorted to constituent parts and recycled. Metals, plastics and biodegradable items would be the outcome which could be sold on. The question begs what happens to the recycled waste collected at the moment? What about a power station? Do some blue sky thinking and Invest in our futures instead of hiring the tax payer with bigger bills for less services once again. Never had any of these issues back in the days we only had to pay rates!!!
3 June at 23:32 · Like · 2
Yoan Jones Who's going to police the constant seven mile tailback from the refuse tip?
3 June at 23:34 · Like
Lisa Fitzgerald My black bin is chocker every thoughtnight and i recycle all mine as well . Think its a pathetic idea to be honest when some households have bigger familys. And also plenty of recycled boxes but by the end of the day my driveway always full of bottle cans cardboard that has blown out or dropped by your colleages .
3 June at 23:36 · Like · 1
Emma Kingsbury I think it's about time everyone paid council tax not just those of is who work , even if it's £5 a week and maybe we wouldn't have these choices to make. If the black bin is made smaller or taken away it will encourage people to fly tip and can you imagine the maggots and flys in the warmer weather .
3 June at 23:49 · Like · 1
Drew Chanelle Brian The incinerator in Cardiff is going to be up and running from 2015, many other local councils have opted into this, and will be directing there loads straight there to be burned in a controlled unit. The energy created is then powered back into the grid to supply energy to homes in that area. This would reduce the need of landfill - and still allow for the fortnightly collections. Myself and son live in my property, I recycle everything I possibly can but still find my black bin full!! The black recycling boxes are far too small, and often find that I have to hold back some items for the following weeks collection.
3 June at 23:53 · Like · 2
Stephanie Morgan Was Payton I live in Monmouthshire where the system works well - one plastic transparent bag for rubbish a fortnight and a set allocation of bags for the year, colour coded plastic bags for recycling, and a food waste caddy. We can put out as much recycling as we like and the bags are taken away and sorted at the recycling centre. There is also a nappy waste collection and garden waste sacks too. No mess and no fuss. We can recycle virtually everything and as a family of four we find one bag of rubbish per fortnight easily achievable.
3 June at 23:59 · Like · 1
Markus Cox Torfean how about increasing the availability to recycle as you still won't recycle card which is a big chunk of peoples household waste, especially the amount of packaging people use, at the moment it all goes in the black bin. Maybe instead of consultation on cutting down black bin use you could save our tax,s and just recycle everything that is recyclable. It's not difficult if you the council are really serious about recycling.
4 June at 00:06 · Like · 1
Ekrem Kansiray Council should employ people who is not works and gets everything free no council tax no rent and the rest etc. They should sort that bin business with this people then they will be deserve that everything they get free we pay all the taxes nothing comes free or no discounts upon expecting us do the council jobs that is not fair at all
4 June at 00:19 · Like · 2
Jeff Manning Heres a radical idea.. just collect the black bins once a week take it to wear house n sort recycling out your selves saving thousands in extra vehicles, bins, blackboxes, brown boxes, little green boxes, green bins and saving transportation thus cutting carbon footprint while supplying jobs to the comunity. Exactly like it was before your dumb ass ideas. only you sort out the recycling. Would have been cheaper and environmentally friendly..
****** I swear!!!!!
4 June at 01:58 · Edited · Like · 3
Joanne Le Cornu It wouldn't work for us, both disabled, when we had pups, we supplied our own black sacks for the soiled newspaper, couple of bags were above the lid line, so it wouldn't totally closed, they were going to leave them in front of front door, after much pleading, I got them to take them, even offering to take them to the cart, we are on assisted bin collection, going up yo the tip is no go, as neither of us can climb stairs, hubby has nurses in, so the dressings that are dirty goes in the bin, our green bin is not used unless he has infection and then it is used to store a special orange bag with the dressings collected, as for the food bin, got better idea, dogs have it, apart from Chinese sauce, that goes in the black bin inside another bag, the smaller bin is down at the caravan for while we are on holiday, the brown bin is being used to store Jewellary beads. The dog muck goes in a bag and then in the bin, in a way we are a family of 6, 2 adults & 4 collies,
4 June at 03:21 · Like
Joanne Le Cornu Jeff and the others, what about the disabled people, they can not be expectated to take the bins somewhere, not possible if you are housebound after major hospital stays, we don't get the green bin collected, due to no grass, the chap that did our garden didn't collect the weeds, next door's tree moults all over our garden, and it is a mud bath, at the moment, we have somebody to come in and do the garden, the mowing and picking up stuff that has been thrown in, like beer cans, neither of us drink
4 June at 03:30 · Like
Sonia Williams I just dont know what we pay taxes for no more, asked to recycle, we do, sepaerate bins we do green, bin, black bin, recycle boxes, brown bin waste, blue bag, cardboard, come on please my drive is stating to look like a recycle distribution center and some people have no drive and now montly collection absolutely scandalous, no lights, lack of drain cleaning, lack of emergecy services due to cuts, bad roads,what is happening to our communities when you sit back and look at things as I said before were going backwards in time plague and disentry illnesses will be next, back to the 18th century were heading
4 June at 06:58 · Like · 1
Leah Manning I hope you are taking note torfaen council. We don't want any of the above to happen we do our bit for recycling and pay our council tax, maybe all the overpaid jobs worth could think of something they could do for us instead of the other way round for a change!!!!
4 June at 07:11 · Like
Evette Brown-Morris well I cant wait to see how much the fly tipping will increase, we`ll end up with rats running along side the cars before long. I cant believe how they can decide how much rubbish is thrown out by each household. I recycle everything I can and still my bin is full at the end of two wks, plus I have to do a tip run for any excess.
4 June at 07:16 · Like · 1
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
4 June at 07:25 · Like · Remove Preview
Barry Jones Stephanie Morgan, I agree with what you say, but unfortunately the proposal does not include increasing the items to be recycled, or to improve the way the recycling is done, it is simply to reduce the amount of refuse collected whilst maintaining the current recycling scheme.
4 June at 07:27 · Like
Rachael Watson I like how they expect a.family.of.4 to produce the.same.waste.as a household of just 1
4 June at 08:29 · Like
John Williams Why are we not told by the council that it is the EU waste directive 2012 that DEMANDS member countries to reduce domestic waste to landfill? This is not mentioned in TCBC's consultation page. WHY? I think that our Labour controlled council do not wish to engage over any contentious EU issues because the metropolitan elite of Labour in Westminster are pro europe. The consultation is meaningless, 99% of residents engage in recycling already. That more recycling will occur through less collections is madness. 99% of people do not want these changes therefore; WHAT IS DEMOCRATIC ABOUT RAILROADING THIS THROUGH AGAINST THE PEOPLES WILL. The councilors are our voice SPEAK FOR US OR GO.
4 June at 08:59 · Like · 2
Peter Hemmings VOTE UKIP!!!!!
4 June at 09:02 · Like · 1
Scott Carey This is the result of over a decade of Labour rule spending what we could not afford. For years we had a privileged way of life beyond our means. Stop moaning and get used to it people or accept paying more taxes.
4 June at 09:23 · Like
John Williams I agree 100% with what Mr Carey says, up to the point of the paying of taxes. What has the diktat of an unelected group of EU "eurocrats" to do with us having less of a service from our council. I don't see where taxation comes into this issue.
4 June at 09:38 · Like · 1
Torfaen Good morning everyone.
Thank you for your comments. We will do our best to address as many as possible during throughout the day.
To clarify a few points first of all:
The £100,000 fines referred to are set by Welsh Government.
Assisted collections and medical collections will not be affected if any of these options are adopted.
An additional service for nappies will be available for all of those who need it.
We are currently working on plans to implement recycling for flats.
Anyone wanting additional recycling containers please direct message us your details and we will arrange for them to be delivered. If there are any issues with containers not being delivered, let us know and we will investigate.
For those who feel they currently recycle everything possible at the kerbside, but the black bin is still full every fortnight, please direct message us with your details as our recycling officers will get in touch to see how we may be able to help.
If anyone is unsure of exactly which items are available at the kerbside, this link outlines which items can go in each container -
If you are experiencing issues with crews regularly not collecting certain items on this list please let us know.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 09:48 · Like ·Remove Preview
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
4 June at 10:00 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
John Williams The council's comment that the £100,000 sanction was set by the Welsh Assembly is true... Could the Council also tell us what organisation initiated the need for less landfill waste to begin with? As the UGOV website tells us that the EU demands this through the setting of targets the EU decide on. These targets according to UGOV are then ratified by the member states accordingly.
4 June at 10:05 · Like
John Macca Can you recycle things like bag from sugar and paper bags from greggs.
4 June at 10:11 · Like
Wolfgang Göring Messerschmitt So you're going to make, new bins, new bags, new pickup schedules, of course you have already paid a company to design these bags, then distribute the bins, the bags, then probably throw in a new vehicle or two.
Logistically what is the cost to provide every household in Torfaenwith new bins and bags, is this not money that could be spent elsewhere? Using the money on things people actually care about?
It is a bit of joke really, Monmouth do this and it is just a stupid idea to appease a handful of people high up with an agenda.
There is an incinerator opening in Cardiff which creates power from rubbish.
Is this really important considering the time scales involved, man power, no doubt you have wastes thousands on consultations.
What you need to remember is that the people are in control, not you, you (the council) work for the people, you should listen to the real problems out there.
People should just stop paying council tax, everyone cancel their direct debits for a few months, stop them from pursuing such terrible ideas.
In Monmouth I know a lot of residents, including myself, who just black bag all their rubbish and take it down the tip, also where I live I have noticed more rats because people are leaving food waste bins outside, because they stink.
4 June at 10:22 · Like · 1
Wolfgang Göring Messerschmitt Here we go, this is how idiotic their ideas are, first year cost on bins alone.... Add the new free bin bags to be designed, made and distributed. Read the bottom line. It would take over 15 years to pay that off, and that is just thinking about it logically.
Actually what are they going to so with the old bins? Where are they going to be disposed of? How much will that cost?
Maintain a fortnightly collection but with a smaller, 140 litre wheelie bin
The Council would remove the old 240 litre bin and replace it with a free 140 litre bin.
This option would result in an annual saving of £78,000.
During the first year there will be an additional cost to the Council of £754,000 to purchase the new smaller bins and promotional costs.
4 June at 10:29 · Like
Torfaen Hi Jenny Lou Ellsum, would you like me to order a Black Box for you?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 10:37 · Like
Torfaen Hi Daz Rothmann-Cox, if you could please provide your postcode I will chase the Black Box order for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 10:58 · Like
Torfaen Hi Gareth Ponting, if you could please either provide your postcode or inbox me your address, I will chase the order of a Black Box for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 11:03 · Like
Torfaen Hi Sioned Stalker, could you please provide your postcode or inbox me your address so i can chase the order for you?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 11:19 · Like
Torfaen Hi Lew Lewis & Ali J Griffiths. Yes, we also have a wider education programme to target people who don't currently recycle and will be doing more in this regard.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:30 · Like
Torfaen Hi Lee Ansell. If this is happening regularly please get in touch with us with a time, date and location, and we will investigate.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:31 · Like
Torfaen Hi Barry Jones. As you are clearly using all recycling facilities available, would you be willing to DM us your details so our recycling officers can get in touch to discuss?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:32 · Like
Torfaen Hi Steve Blackmoore. The initial cost of the smaller bins would be £754,000.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:33 · Like
Torfaen Hi Paul Lamrick. The fines we are talking about, £100,000, for every 1% councils fall below recycling targets, come from the Welsh Government.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:35 · Like
Torfaen Hi Emma Jones. The initial cost of the smaller bins would be £754,000.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:38 · Like
Wolfgang Göring Messerschmitt What's the return on investment? When do you actually start making money from this scheme?
4 June at 12:46 · Like · 1
Torfaen Hi Wolfgang Göring Messerschmitt The purpose of these proposals is to meet future recycling targets, not make money.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 12:49 · Like
Chris Shrigley Do we get a discount on our council tax for doing half the work sorting out the rubbish and for doing some else's job?
4 June at 13:09 · Like · 1
John Williams Hello Mr Lamrick. The £100,000 fine comes from the W/Assembly. Why you may ask is the WA going against the wishes of the majority of Torfaen residents and introducing this unpopular bill? After all the WA is Labour controlled, why is this? I,m no Ukip message spinner. BUT the answer is that The EU waste directive DEMANDS all signatory members to enact the directive by 2015 by the use of members parliaments. How this worked was the EU directed the UK government to enact this directive. Cynically this was done through the Privy Council, (no parliamentary approval needed). Then the WA enacted this order. EU to Privy Council to WA to local Council.
4 June at 13:20 · Like · 1
Dor Carpenter Agree with those that say larger containers for recyclables is needed. Since torfaen started to recycle plastics, our black box is always full and we are only two people. Those homes I have seen with just one or two items in the black box have to be putting recyclable items in the black bin. Torfaen do need to supervise the recycling collectors and work on those families that can't be bothered to use the recycling facilities provided.
4 June at 13:51 · Like
Torfaen Hi Catherine Nearly Bishop Beard, if you could please inbox me with your address or your postcode I can chase up any orders of black boxes that you have.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:21 · Like
Torfaen Hi Jan Felton, literature has been issued to all residents indicating what can be recycled. Would you like me to send it to you again?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:25 · Like
Torfaen Hi Simon Turner, if your box has a split down the side I can order a new one for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:27 · Like
Torfaen Thanks Katherine Jayne Lemm, if you could please provide your postcode or inbox me your address I can chase your order for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:31 · Edited ·Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, there is a clear message within the responses to your post that the residents are not happy with your proposal or method of consultation. You are answering side issues on broken containers and what items can be recycled, but I'm assuming given the strength of feeling you will now be considering your approach and how you actively consult with the electorate, without a closed three option agenda. When will we be able to see a response to the clear rejection of your proposal and the method of consultation?
4 June at 14:34 · Like · 2
John Macca If something is paper can it be put in the black box.
4 June at 14:35 · Like
Torfaen Hi Deb Bevan would you like me to order you a new recycling box to replace your broken one?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:37 · Like
Torfaen Hi Adam Bridgeman, could you please provide me with your address (inbox me) and I will chase this order for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:39 · Edited ·Like
Torfaen Hi Lisa Doull, could you please provide your postcode and I will try and find out why the collections are not taking place.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:52 · Like
Torfaen Hi Rhi Elston, would you benefit from having an additional Black Box so you are not putting bags out each week?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 14:54 · Like
Torfaen Hi Markus Cox We already collect cardboard on a fortnightly basis. If you need a blue bag please let us know.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 14:56 · Like
Torfaen Hi Kevin Lloyd, can you please confirm which bins you are still waiting for?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:00 · Like
Torfaen Hi Barry Jones All of the comments from this thread, and those raised when we run a series of Q&A sessions later in the month, will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process, together with feed back from road shows, over the phone...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 4 June at 15:01 · Edited ·Like
Torfaen Hi Erin Roberts, can you please confirm the name of the street which has been missed? Cardboard is collected on a fortnightly basis.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:02 · Like
Torfaen Hi Rhiannon Fowler, please be aware that microwave trays and meat trays can be recycled at the moment.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:05 · Like
Torfaen Hi Sarah Wheatstone, can you please clarify if you mean a Black Wheelie Bin or a Black Recycling Box?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:08 · Like
Torfaen Hi Mark Smith, if you’re struggling for space in the box, would you like me to order you an additional box?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:10 · Like
Torfaen Hi Hayley Lorimar. Could you please confirm your postcode and I will chase the order for you?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:13 · Like
Torfaen Hi Markus Cox, please be aware that we do currently recycle card and cardboard. Do you have a Blue Cardboard Recycling Bag?
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 4 June at 15:19 · Like
Samantha Morgan If you replace the large black bins with small black bins,,,,,, are you able to recycle the ones you've removed?????
4 June at 15:31 · Like
John Williams Will Torfaen please answer this. If Torfaen residents elect a Labour run authority, which is answerable to a Labour run Welsh Assembly, then surely as can be seen, when the overwhelming majority of residents do not want changes to rubbish collection, that Labour run council together with the Labour controlled Welsh Assembly should be able to stop these plans......should'nt they!... If not why not?
4 June at 16:24 · Like · 1
Juliette Coates I'd recycle more if we had a bin rather than a black box - at the moment the dog drags any plastic food tray out, even if it has been washed. Yes, we have a net, and we tell him off for doing it but that doesn't stop him from trying!
4 June at 16:30 · Like · 3
Juliette Coates How can I just make a comment rather than completing the questionnaire, as I don't want to pick any of the options on it?
4 June at 16:39 · Like · 2
Torfaen Hi Juliette, the comments here will be included in the feedback plus there will be roadshows and a live Q&A on Facebook - all of which will form part of the consultation.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 4 June at 18:31 · Like
Anthony Bool So let's see if I understand correctly ? You charge me an extra £XX per year for my council tax to cover your supposedly rising costs? Yet your not collecting my waste as often, thereby lowering the man hours saving you £xx amount, but you want to rai...See More
4 June at 18:34 · Like · 9
Torfaen Hello John Williams - as page admins we are politically neutral so can't really answer that directly but might be worth speaking to your local councillor(s)?
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 4 June at 18:35 · Like
Lauren Penny If they go monthly collections, are we going to have extra recycling boxes/bins free of charge? I already recycle too much to fit in one black box! And how about those who do not recycle at all? What repercussions will they face? if any?
4 June at 19:14 · Like · 1
Jennifer Parry Our house recycles a lot, but these 3 options are ridiculous Torfaen, these suggestions are not realistic especially for families! Have you considered people burning their rubbish, or the extra car trips to the tip cos thats great for the environment i...See More
4 June at 19:26 · Edited · Like · 8
Simeon Roberts I agree with Jennifer, where has Torfaen been for the last "god knows how long" In Carmarthen they have been recycling everything from plastic to mobile phones for as long as I can remember. It seems councils only recycle stuff they can sell on for money (paper, card, plastic, glass) and nothing else. I for one find it quite an insult to blame the residents for their poor management.
4 June at 19:47 · Like · 4
Jo Thewelshhousewife Torfaen ,IM ABOUT TO SAVE YOU £754,000 WITH MY IDEA ! you say it will cost £754,000 to bring in these new smaller bins into circulation , how can you justify that cost when you are closing down schools and cutting back on jobs , why not do a bin swap...See More
4 June at 19:55 · Edited · Like · 3
Stephanie Morgan Was Payton Barry Jones, I agree completely - The only way to reduce the general waste is to up the recycling and the variety of waste which can be put out for recycling. In Monmouthshire we can recycle virtually everything and this is why it works so well. My mother is a Torfaen resident so I'm familiar with the system there - She lives alone and fills her black recycling box so certainly not adequate for a family.
4 June at 20:49 · Like · 3
Nikki Davies Stop charging pubs extortionate prices for recycling and you would have loads to meet your target!! If you collected our cans, bottles and cardboard for free, we might stand a chance of surviving!! And you would make money too!! Our business rates are ...See More
4 June at 21:18 · Like · 2
Ellie's Pitstop-cafe This is ridiculous a lot of people do recycle what they can but still left with loads of rubbish to fill our black bins. None of options you give are going to work!!
4 June at 22:36 · Like · 1
Nicola Davies-House So you think that replacing all the bins with smaller bins is a " green " idea. Ok. Take into account the impact of producing the original bins on the environment then the petrol delivering them now the collection of them and then the recycling of th...See More
4 June at 23:16 · Like · 3
Matthew Bright Oh dear TORFAEN, you really have got this all wrong. Prepare to spend more money cleaning the streets from fly tipped waste and dealing with rats and disease. To beat targets you need to increase collections not limit it. We regularly over fill our rec...See More
5 June at 00:22 · Like · 1
Samantha Morgan As you say the comments on this thread will be looked at when your in consultation,,,,, hope there will be a bright person looking at these who may recognise Torfaen residents opinions!!!!!!
5 June at 08:14 · Like · 1
Kelly Beaumont We are a family of 5 so accumulate a large black bin full every fortnight and yes I recycle everything I am suppose to including food waste so all of the above are unsuitable. What are people suppose to do?
5 June at 08:39 · Like · 2
Nicola Thomas Sue Humphreys
5 June at 08:50 · Like
Sue Humphreys We are also a family of 5 adults and recycle everything possible to keep within our black bin. - we put out 3-4 black boxes weekly plus cardboard and food bins With our household size there is a limited amount of improvement that can be made. If I had...See More
5 June at 09:08 · Like · 2
Sue Humphreys The consultation and your waste strategy only cover domestic waste yet I believe commercial and non controlled industrial waste is also included within the overall waste reduction target for Torfaen. What other changes are planned other than reducing k...See More
5 June at 09:16 · Like
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
More
5 June at 11:53 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Barry Jones If everyone posting on this thread could please share the councils post on their time lines it would be really helpful, as many people as possible need to be given the opportunity to see the proposal. Please also join the resident voice group I have be...See More
5 June at 11:56 · Like · 1
Stephanie Alford Can u tell me what will happen to families who have weekly bin collections due to large families and medical reasons? We have 3 adults 4 kids and 2 dogs here!
5 June at 13:56 · Like
Torfaen Hi Stephanie Alford Assisted or medical collections will not change with these proposals. Larger families of 6 or more will still be entitled to additional capacity for their general waste.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 5 June at 14:19 · Like
Carol Knight Any change wont reduce the amount of waste produced...residents will just make more trips to the tip to save being overloaded! So whilst you can tick a box to say your collected waste has reduced...will the increased waste taken to the tip individually, and the inevitable fly tipping be taken into consideration when ticking the boxes?
5 June at 22:39 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland yeah they will be charging to go to the tip then ,,Torfaen again i put my question to you ,i have 2 dogs (mastiffs ) i bag and bin 18kg of dog poo every 2 weeks ....36 kg per 4 weeks ,The bin men would refuse to take my bin on the ground of smell .prob maggots ,flies ,and weight ,and God help me if my lid happens to be open a bit .....What do you suggest as a responsible dog owner i do ??????????????????????????
5 June at 23:48 · Like · 2
Wayne Roberts Not a lot of common sense here. Big changes in Torfaen are needed.General election next year will be the chance to get rid of this regime that think our council tax is to provide these fat-cats with lavish lifestyles and cut the services that we all are paying for.Can this incompetence within this authority get any worse?
6 June at 00:26 · Like · 2
Lesley Gronow Hartland still no reply to my question torfaen ???
8 June at 22:34 · Like
Samantha Morgan Maybe Torfaen could claw some money back by selling the laptops that they bought a few years ago,,,, the ones that were never used!!! Anyone remember??
9 June at 12:57 · Like
Nat Baker The last time I checked ( a cople of months ago) the only plastic that I could put into my recycle box was "anything that looks like a bottle or would hold liquid". So how about the food packaging that everything seems to be sold in? The answer was no....See More
10 June at 22:05 · Like
Nat Baker Lets do something about the roadside recycling first!
10 June at 22:06 · Like
Dean Woodyatt Will they recycle the old black bins what's the long term payoff point where manufacturing 1000's of new, small bins cancels out the material and monetary costs of chucking the old bins? Has any consideration been taken regarding ease of access of recycling facilities or quicker pickup of recycling stuff?
10 June at 23:47 · Like
Dean Woodyatt My suggestion.....pick up general waste at 1/2 the rate of recyclables......
I.e do a recycling pickup every week, but general waste every fortnight. If torfaen were serious about recycling, they'd sack a few councilors and spend the cash on more pickups, not less and penalizing everyone
10 June at 23:49 · Like
Barry Jones Please follow this link to sign the petition calling for a different approach from TCBC.
11 June at 21:11 · Like · Remove Preview
Date: 10th June 2014
Purpose of post: To announce live Q&A session
Reach: 5,198
Comments on post: 64 (including council replies)
Shares: 15
[pic]
Torfaen
Live Facebook Q&A on black bin consultation tonight
We know waste collections are always a hot topic in Torfaen and in response to the consultation on black bin collections launched last week, we’ll be holding a number of live Facebook Q&As this month.
Dana Eynon, head of property, streetscene and waste, and Cynon Edwards, group leader for waste and streetscene, will be online and answering yourquestions live tonight from 6pm – 8pm.
We appreciate that many of you may have questions about the wider waste collection service but we would like to try and keep this particular session specifically about the consultation.
Information about the consultation, and the consultation itself, is available here
The full report is available here
Further live Q&As will be held on Thursday 12th June 2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 25th June 2pm – 4pm and Thursday 26th June 6pm – 8pm.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 10 June
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• Jeff Harris, Martin Goodman and 2 others like this.
• 15 shares
Kayleigh Bartlett Harding Funny how the reason behind this is that your not reaching recycling targets yet there's areas in blaenavon that hasn't had their recycling boxes collected this week!! Absolute joke!!!
10 June at 10:57 · Edited · Like · 3
Darran Powell I just cant see why you dont empty once a week like torfaen always used to never had so many problems then
10 June at 10:58 · Like · 4
Gerald Davies Carry on guys,in less than 18 months you'll be moaning about black bags of rubbish being dumped all over the borough. Wake up an get real.
10 June at 11:03 · Like · 12
Ken Davies And if you do monthly collections is the council tax going to drop?? Probably not
10 June at 11:15 · Like · 4
Normajean Jenkins Your funeral torfaen !
10 June at 11:21 · Like · 1
Ben Rooke put it to a public vote..instead of TELLING us what we have to do. Use a democratic process to show public opinions...
10 June at 11:22 · Like · 8
Gareth Jenkins Consultation? You can't even get people you employ to collect our cardboard because you don't enforce what you promise on here so clearly you don't care about us who pay for a service we never get
10 June at 11:23 · Edited · Like · 1
Richard Dunn Torfaen council, can you please advise if waste taken to the refuse centre is included in the figures for non-recycled waste? It seems to me that many residents of the borough will be forced to take their rubbish to the refuse centre. If this waste is included in the figures then how does that help? If it isn't included then you are clearly attempting to defraud the whole system by forcing residents to take their waste to the centre. I would appreciate a response to this comment as it is a key issue here!
10 June at 11:28 · Like · 8
Jen Hughes maybe if blocks of flats had to recycle they would be closer to reaching targets
10 June at 11:30 · Like · 9
John Vinall The problem isn't the number of collections it's the amount of waste. Torfaen unfortunately don't understand the principle of the carrot, they only understand the stick (so they make it worse for us to force us to put less in the rubbish bin rather than providing tangible encouragement to put more in the recycling box).
The problem is that there are targets set by Labour in WAG to reduce the amount of waste which goes to landfill, and councils have now reached the point where this is becoming an issue for them. Rather than tackle the offenders (mostly supermarkets and food packaging) it's much easier to take it out on the punters.
Of course the big problem with that is that people are people and can't be bothered doing something about it unless it affects them personally. For all the people who have a social conscience there are too many who don't care - there are some on my street who don't bother recycling at all, it all goes in the black bin.
Many suggestions have been made. People don't like the idea of "pay for what you throw out" because that means people who throw out a lot of waste pay more. Which is of course wrong and unfair. (!) People don't like the idea of fines for not recycling because then people who don't recycle pay more. Which is of course also wrong and unfair (!!).
...so the council is stuck between two stools. Between the Scylla of WAG and their insistence that councils reduce waste to landfill and the Charybdis of the local people who don't want to pay any more money for what they see is a service which is getting worse.
Given that doing nothing isn't an option, they're kind of stuck.
(For what it's worth my solution would be to remove the waste charge from council tax then charge everyone for the waste they sent to landfill and give them a credit for the waste they send to recycling / composting)
10 June at 11:32 · Like · 5
Katheryn Gardner Although from a council prospective the black bag option looks appealing, less outlay etc, I feel this will create separate problems such as animals ripping said bags and causing rodent issues.
Hence costing more!
10 June at 11:38 · Like · 4
Craig Lewis the three proposals will not work! people still generate waste.more than will fit into a small bin which is emptied every two weeks.keep it as it is.
10 June at 11:45 · Like · 1
Emma Mayers Yes katheryn but then the council wants us 2 pay for pest control where because nobody is goin 2 hav an empty aft 3 weeks there is going 2 b like u said rats etc they will b causing the pest problems but wants us 2 pay 4 it. I didnt no that flats didnt hav 2 recycle y not & like ive said b4 businesses aswel. I am goin 2 start 2 leave all extra packaging at the supermarkets cereal boxes etc I dont want it, its just extra waste let them pay 4 it
10 June at 11:48 · Like · 3
Geraint Roberts You need to take a look at good practise from other LA's. We recently moved from Newport to Torfaen and the difference in efficiency and waste control at Newport compared to Cwmbran is massive. Being a local authority worker myself, we are encouraged to share good practise across south easy wales, don't this sector do similar?
10 June at 11:51 · Like · 2
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Do you really need to spend our money on this tripe when in reality you could just read the daily comments here if you genuinely cared what we think
10 June at 11:55 · Like · 2
Von Slapschtick I hope everyone will be lobbying for weekly collections.
10 June at 11:58 · Like · 1
Matthew Ford we are a family of 7 who recycle religiously but still after two weeks our black bin is full. any less of a service would mean we would have a surplus of general waste. would we be getting a discount in our council tax to compensate the trip to the tip?
10 June at 12:04 · Like · 6
Andrew Robins You state a consultation on black bins. 'Consultation' means getting the publics input... but you have not given us a chance to give our opinion, you have given us the public 3 options! Where is the consultation? I for one will be using the freedom of information act to look into this so called consultation. Which I can now request by law on social media. Be in touch shortly.
10 June at 12:08 · Like · 6
Illtyd Compton Caddick I think Torfaen should let us know how much they generate in revenue for our waste metal. It must be £1000's.
10 June at 12:16 · Like · 1
Emma Edwards Completely different thing , but my question is do mcdobalds recycle cardboard , notice everyone just puts it in the bins bugs me
10 June at 12:21 · Like · 1
Aimee Williams Cwmbran shopping separate the waste before it goes to landfill. Any cardboard not in the cardboard skip is still separated.
10 June at 12:38 · Like · 2
Rhiannon Fowler Remove the onus from residents and set up a recycling centre in torfaen, long term savings on different collections and provision of all different bins/bags, All recycling targets would be met, money which would be spent on initial set up of current ch...See More
10 June at 12:41 · Like · 2
Sally York business pay huge amounts in business rates and the council does not collect "any" waste from businesses - businesses have to pay for disposal of every kind of waste £1800 a month I pay for business rates - all we get for that is street lighting and police and fire service if we need them - how fair is that?!!! Torfaen needs to rethink business rates big time - I could employ another person !!!!
10 June at 12:57 · Like · 1
Gareth Ponting Just ignore them like you did last week. People have asked you to leave the collections alone. It's hard enough as it is. So as that's what the tax payer has asked don't you think you should listen rather than do what you want. We think we are charged to much tax so if you vote to change can we vote and decide if we are in fact paying you more than we want to?
10 June at 12:58 · Like · 1
Dennis Powell You don't collect it all so untill u sort that out what's the point just so your bosses can see u doing something but not a lot totally taking the puss out of us who works and pay my hard earned cash for there are 5 of us in my family 3 young children who makes a lot of rubbish people in my situation need more than one bin or collected weekly
10 June at 13:01 · Like · 1
Sam Cuerden I think you ahould provide different coloured bins for recycling as black boxes end up across the roads half the time broken from bin men just throwing them everywhere ive not gt any boxes and take my recycling to the tip
10 June at 13:32 · Like
Chris Marsh £1800 a month business rates? If THAT'S not a disincentive to starting a business, I don't know what is.
10 June at 13:56 · Like · 1
Kersty Evans I have to say that i think dropping to once a month collections would be ok. I can't believe i am saying this and i am the first to admit that when they first announced the idea i recoiled in horror. HOWEVER since they have started taking more plastic ...See More
10 June at 13:59 · Like
Richard Caddick Black Bin Consultation I don't think so!! you are just giving us 3 options to choose from. No consultation there. Its a JOKE
10 June at 14:08 · Like · 1
Lucy Evans Moved from torfaen to monmouthshire.... Much better system here!!! 2 black bags a fortnight. Unlimited recycling bags weekly. Food bin weekly and pay as u go for garden waste.
10 June at 14:20 · Edited · Like · 1
Ken Davies This is whats going to happen one of the three options is going to go ahead, regardless what residents think or want, regardless if they set up these consultations, because we all know if these buffons have made these options then one of them is alread...See More
10 June at 14:21 · Like · 2
Rosemary Easter The wheelie bins cost a lot of money so what is going to happen to them if you replace them with smaller ones? Why spend more money, keep the big ones.
10 June at 14:52 · Unlike · 5
Nicola Thomas Sue Humphreys
10 June at 15:20 · Like
Andrew Twinam Why make life more difficult. Please can you tell my I pay my council tax when you are cutting services? It seems we are paying more and getting less and less for it.
10 June at 16:52 · Like · 1
Erin Roberts I've just got home from work. I left my recycling out this morning and guess what...
It's still there! Not trying hard enough, Torfaen!
10 June at 17:20 · Like · 1
Gail Roberts I think it will cost the council more because people will do more fly tipping.
10 June at 17:44 · Like · 3
Erin Roberts Please see my post on your wall, Torfaen.
10 June at 17:46 · Like
Paul Buckland Due to the reduction of the service you are proposing , I will make a request that my council tax payments are amended, should you implement these changes
10 June at 17:50 · Like · 1
Robert Bynt Black Boxes not been collected from Cwmynyscoy either today.....But I imagine TBC will have some poor excuse......This idea is a joke....They will be paying to supply 2 black bags or supply smaller bins etc and then will have to pay for people to clean up all the fly tipping that will take place.....T B C you are a joke......
10 June at 17:54 · Like · 3
Erin Roberts Same in Parc Panteg
10 June at 18:04 · Like
Torfaen Jen Hughes Hi Jen, we are looking into recycling for flats that don't currently receive it at the moment.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:17 · Edited ·Like
Torfaen Gareth Jenkins Hi Gareth. If you have a problem with the cardboard collection please DM us your details and we will investigate.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:18 · Like
Torfaen Matthew Ford Hi Matthew. It sounds like you may need additional recycling facilities - if you can DM us your details we can arrange for these to be delivered.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:22 · Like
Torfaen Sally York Hi Sally. Business rates are not set by the council, they are set by Welsh Government.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:23 · Like
Torfaen Gareth Jenkins Hi Gareth, all views aired here will be included as part of the wider consultation.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:24 · Like
Torfaen Dennis Powell Hi Dennis. The bulk of household waste can now be recycled at the kerbside. Which items would you like to be recycled that aren't currently?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:26 · Like
Torfaen Chris Marsh Hi Chris, business rates are set by Welsh Government, not the council itself.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:26 · Like
Torfaen Erin Roberts Hi Erin. There have been issues with collections in some areas today and anything missed will be cleared tomorrow.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:27 · Like
Torfaen Richard Caddick Hi Richard, these options have been chosen as the represent the best chance of meeting Welsh Government recycling targets. Once the consultation is complete, it will scrutinised and presented to councillors who will make a decision.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:28 · Like
Torfaen Geraint Roberts Hi Geraint. To use local examples, both Newport and Monmouth have already restricted their general waste collections to boost recycling rates.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:30 · Like
Robert Bynt What issues were there for collecting the black boxes today.....
10 June at 18:36 · Like · 1
Torfaen Richard Dunn Refuse taken to the refuse centre is included in the figures for non-recycled waste. The point here is that many people are putting things that can already be recycled at the kerbside into their black bins.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:37 · Like
Robert Bynt Also....If you opt for the smaller black bins can you have more than 2 black bags in them.....And what happens if you cannot fit all the waste into the smaller black bins if that is the option taken.....
10 June at 18:37 · Like · 1
Robert Bynt Not being funny but if this is a live forum Torfaen....You are taking an awful long time to reply......
10 June at 18:44 · Like
Torfaen Hi Robert. This post was a notification of the Live Q&A which is currently taking place on the live post on our wall. To answer your question, most items are now recyclable at the kerbside so there should be very little going into the black bins. If the smaller bin is the option chosen, any waste the couldn't be recycled or fit into the bin could be taken to the household waste recycling centre.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 18:53 · Like
Robert Bynt I just and asked similar question on over wall lol lol...
10 June at 18:55 · Edited · Like
Claire Evans Why don't you do what they do abroad? Take all refuse and then sort through it at your tip? We all know this is about Torfaen not being penalised for recycling, but come on enough is enough.
10 June at 21:04 · Like · 3
Claire Evans I propose a campaign if civil disobedience- non payment of council tax and dumping rubbish at Pontypool council offices
10 June at 21:05 · Like
Kate 'Hewitt' Noyes Torfaen CBC really need to get their own offices and schools, training centers and colleges fully recycling before the put more pressure on householders.
10 June at 22:58 · Like · 2
Kersty Evans I posted a positive comment. Don't I get a response?
10 June at 23:17 · Like
Margaret Horner Would CBC like to explain why we might have to pay for new black boxes. My issue is that it is the people who collect and empty these boxes are the ones breaking/damaging the boxes
11 June at 09:04 · Like
Margaret Horner Also not collecting as per current arrangements, will cause fly tipping without a doubt.
11 June at 09:06 · Like
Adrian Watkins Fly tipping of rubbish in the strip of woodland in woolpitch greenmeadow building up all the time just below banana bridge and I see rats there so god help it when you start with smaller bins.
11 June at 19:46 · Like
Samantha Morgan Can the residents have a consultation ? We give Torfaen 3 options 1 leave things as they are 2 if reduced collections a reduction in council tax 3 Fine those that don't recycle!!!!!!
16 June at 06:41 · Like · 1
Bottom of Form
Date: 10th June 2014
Purpose of post: First Q&A session
Reach: 10,616
Comments on post: 488 (including council replies)
Shares: 16
[pic]
Torfaen
Good evening and welcome to the first live Facebook Q&A on our black bin consultation. We've got Dana Eynon, head of property, streetscene and waste, and Cynon Edwards, group leader for waste and streetscene, answering your questions for the next two hours.
The purpose of this session is to answer your questions about the current consultation on proposals for the future of black bin collections in the borough.
To recap:
From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets.
All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
As such, doing nothing is not an option. The bulk of waste produced by the average household can now be recycled at the kerbside, and reducing the amount of general (black bin) waste collected has been proven to push up recycling rates.
The options we are asking you to consider are:
Maintaining a fortnightly collection with a replacement smaller black wheelie bin. The bin, which would hold 140 litres, would be supplied free of charge by the council
A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household. The bags would be provided free of charge by the council
Moving to a monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
All options include provision for a dedicated collection for nappies for those who need it.
Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
Recycling collections, assisted collections, and medical collections will continue to operate as normal.
Your comments, along with those generated through our online consultation (which can be accessed here ) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month.
This will then be presented to scrutiny at the end of July, which is open to the public to observe and taken to full council later in the year, and it will be councillors who decide which option to take forward.
We will do our best to answer as many questions as we can over the next two hours.
— with Another gimp.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 10 June
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• Jeff Berms, Liz Miles, Catherine Thomas and 20 others like this.
• 12 shares
Andrew Twinam Please can you tell me if we will get a cut in council tax? It seems we are paying more for less service.
10 June at 18:05 · Like · 13
Mark Eley good evening both, hot topic at present and plenty of feedback being left on facebook etc about new proposals , looking forward to constructive comments ..
10 June at 18:06 · Like · 2
Keith Mortiss i think its wrong we have these options cardiff have all there street lighting left on at night and no limits on there bin collections but we keep getting cut back all the time,its a joke we were even late having our green bins collected as they misses an area in blaenavon on monday and had to comeback today and STILL our brown bin still not collected after i rang today,if u want to save money get everyone out the office and start to work rather than sitting in a warm office we are all paying for
10 June at 18:08 · Like
Torfaen Andrew Twinam Hi Andrew, no, there are no plans to reduce council tax. What we are trying to do is avoid significant fines (which will adversely affect everyone) within a context of reducing budgets.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:08 · Like
Gemma Merrett Maybe a bigger black bin than we have now and montly collections but in the summer i can imagine that causing a smell and may increase fly tipping.
Black bags not good cats can rip them open and if we dont have our bags delivered no where to put rubbish therefore more flytipping, angry customers and increase calls to contact centre.
10 June at 18:09 · Like · 6
Vicky Savage I'm all in support for sustainability and meeting recycling targets, we all have a responsibility but it's needs to be reasonable and realistic !
10 June at 18:09 · Like · 2
Richard Lang I myself and all my family and my father inlaw both have two compost bins and we still are able to fill up the black bins we also recycle everything possible what will be done to help us when the project plans go ahead
10 June at 18:10 · Like · 1
Barry Jones What testing has been carried out to show that the various size households in Torfaen can actually recycle enough to allow a monthly collection? And where are the results of the testing available from please?
10 June at 18:10 · Like · 5
Katy Jones May aswell say bring back the plague it's a ****** joke !!!
10 June at 18:10 · Like · 1
Torfaen Keith Mortiss Cardiff Council are currently consulting on similar plans. Reducing black bin capacity is something that a number of councils have already done or are considering.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:10 · Like
Sue Davies I believe you are heading for people dumping rubbish. Black bags are a nightmare. We already have a rat population which we have to deal with. Where does health matters come into this.
10 June at 18:11 · Like · 2
Kirsty McCarthy No way will this work!! We recycle everything and use reusable nappys yet every fortnight our bin is full!! How about giving people bin sizes based on how many people live in the property, a single occupant can manage smaller bins but a family of 5 (that's us) wouldn't be able to downsize!!
10 June at 18:11 · Like · 7
Claire Hillier Keep bins we got do it monthly its obvious measures are going to be put in place to stop fines this is best option
10 June at 18:11 · Like
Gavin Lee Why the jump from 2 to 4 weeks? Why not 3 as a compromise? A larger bin with a lid for paper, card, cardboard etc. Currently don't recycle paper as it gets soggy and blows around - no problem with bin with lid. Blue bag a waste of time
10 June at 18:12 · Like · 7
Lynda Clarkson Can you tell me what you intend to do to encourage large organisations and businesses to recycle to reduce landfill? What service do TCBC offer them?
10 June at 18:12 · Like · 5
Torfaen Gemma Merrett Hi Gemma, if everything is being recycled that can be recycled, there should be little left in the refuse bags (if that's what members go for) to cause animals to rip the bags open. There is little evidence to date from Councils that have already done this that reducing black bin capacity leads to permanent increased levels of flytipping.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:13 · Like
Simon Draper So does this mean 1/2 the bin men lose their jobs and the money saved on wages and vehicle cost comes off our rates ?
10 June at 18:13 · Like · 4
Torfaen Mark Eley Good evening to you too!
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:13 · Like
Liz Chapman Powell Buck No matter what we the people suggest you just as well tell us now what the plan is because as usual I expect it has already been decided on so to me a waste of debate ?
10 June at 18:13 · Like · 6
Stephanie King How much will it cost in tax to provide bags and new bins? You need to get the recycling right first... Blue bags are a waste of time and green/brown bins are disgusting and quite honestly a health hazard!
10 June at 18:13 · Like · 2
Matt Watkins Will there be a reduction in council tax if you are reducing services? If not, why?
10 June at 18:14 · Like · 1
Lynda Clarkson Can you also explain why individual households are not being assessed. A home with two people living in it produces much less waste than a home with 2 adults and 3 children, especially if one is a baby producing nappies. We have a problem with nappies being dumped on the mountainside regularly already.
10 June at 18:14 · Like · 3
Victoria Kemp-Taylor Glad I'm moving out of Wales! this will never work!!
10 June at 18:14 · Like · 2
Emma Peel surely the plan to go to monthly collections will cause more fly tipping?
10 June at 18:15 · Like · 4
Jason O'Connell How have other Tory run councils in England managed to keep up their recycling commitments and have a freeze on council tax, while all we see are services like this being slashed and yearly tax raises? Smacks a of top heavy, greedy overpaid Managment team throughout the council.
10 June at 18:15 · Like · 6
Torfaen Richard Lang We provide assistance to larger families now and that will continue. If you feel that you are recycling everything you can and your black bin is full, then please PM us your details and we'll come and chat with you.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:15 · Like · 1
Stephanie King I agree Lynda and dog poop sacks! Yuk!
10 June at 18:15 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Do you think its right that we agree to pay for a service and only recieve a quarter of it and do you think its fair that if we mess you around with the money as much as we do with the service we end up in court ?
10 June at 18:15 · Like · 2
Ali J Griffiths you need to have an undercover boss at least once a month. so you can see what is being or not being done!
10 June at 18:16 · Like · 1
Matt Watkins Why do some councillors currently have two black bins?
10 June at 18:16 · Like · 10
Sarah Stephens Are there any plans to target those householders that currently do not recycle but just dump everything in their black bin? I'm sure the majority of Torfaen residents understand the importance of recycling however there are still some who don't bother. Could these be targeted to avoid those making the effort feel as though they are being further penalised?
10 June at 18:16 · Like · 8
Stephanie King And some councillors have weekly collections!!!!!
10 June at 18:17 · Like · 1
Craig Lewis however much my family recycle we still have a very full large black bin at the end of the fortnight. These options will only make it worse.We just wouldnt cope. Can you give us the option of keeping it as it is ?
10 June at 18:17 · Like · 2
Sallena Stephens I use aptamil baby milk and use 2 a week and they apparently can't be recycled so they have to go in black bin, they take up room.
10 June at 18:17 · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones Hi Barry, this was independently assessed which confirmed that there was recyling still to be had in the black bins in Torfaen. This assessment also looked at how this had worked in other council areas so it was based on what we know people are putting out and how it has worked elsewhere.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:18 · Like
Tracy Edwards Refuse bags is a better idea for those living in terraced housing. They are put out on the relevant day & then removed. There are so many bins on terraced streets that(eg) people with pushchairs are forced onto the road, cars get scratched with people side stepping bins
10 June at 18:18 · Like · 1
Torfaen Sue Davies Refuse bags are just one option. If you would prefer one of the other options then please make your views known as part of the consultation process.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:19 · Like
Lisa Crowley Any longer than two weeks on the collection of black bins you will be looking for it to go wrong, how are larger families going to cope !!
10 June at 18:19 · Like
Jane Morris Good evening, in an aim to help promote recycling of food waste, would Torfaen be prepared to offer free decompostable bags for the green caddies as are supplied free by other local councils such as Monmouth and Newport?
10 June at 18:19 · Like · 9
Torfaen Kirsty McCarthy Hi Kirsty, as mentioned in a previous post, we do make allowances for larger families already and that will continue. Also, as part of these proposals, we would be introducing a separate nappy collection.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:20 · Like
Sue Williams The bin men leave a mess behind them they enpty our bins and leave a right mess lids off tins yogurt pots paper etc
10 June at 18:20 · Like
Angela Knowles Is the rubbish thrown out from people who live in flats etc sorted into what's recyclable and what's not? At one time I know this wasn't happening. If it's not surely this could help the percentage that's recycled??
10 June at 18:21 · Like · 5
Stephanie King Torfaen, how much money will be saved? Also how much will it cost to provide families with the new resources eg bins and bags?!
10 June at 18:21 · Like
Steve Thomas Any cutback or reduction in the collecting of any waste will lead to environmental problems. We have witnessed an increase in the number of rats in our area - Oakfield already. To co-incide with this it appears that the Council are now charging for the services of their pest control officers - as from May 1st. So we get more rubbish - more rats and then have to pay for the privilege of having the vermin dealt with. Perhaps when there is an increase in the number of people and pets being infected by vermin we will then have yet another pointless consultation.... and this report is from 5 years ago - and has anything been learnt?
10 June at 18:27 · Edited · Like · 2 · Remove Preview
Lisa Evans smell will be horrendous after a month! prefer a smaller black bin if needs be, but would need a WEEKLY collection with a large family
10 June at 18:21 · Like · 4
Craig Brennan I have two blocks of flats opposite my house, they do not recycle and they have weekly collections. On a regular basis, I see residents from the houses (not just opposite the flats, but from houses several rows up) throw their own non recycle waste in these bins where sometimes , they are overflowing!! I have complained several times about this, but it doesn't stop. If you chose monthly collections or smaller bins for the houses, this problem will get worse, what can be done to combat this????
10 June at 18:21 · Like · 1
Leanne Cornelius What do you suggest that I do with my used cats litter? As far as I'm aware there aren't any recycling facilities for this, I have three cats and really don't want to leave it sitting in a bin for a whole month.
Same goes for dog owners.
10 June at 18:21 · Like · 4
Gemma Goku Matthews Pathetic. Leave it how it is. Also like to point out no one came to collect the black recycling boxes around Parc Panteg today and with the wind the bottles/cartons are everywhere. If the council should concentrate on getting what's been in place for years right before trying to make any more unnecessary changes!
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 4
Lynda Clarkson Any chance of an answer to my question about businesses and large organisations?
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 4
Craig Lewis so ..You are offering us 3 options.? The majority dont want any of the three options from what ive heard and read. So will you listen to the majority ?
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 1
Ben Rapier What are you doing to encourage supermarkets to reduce packaging and to use more recyclable materials where they can't reduce it?
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 3
Torfaen Gavin Lee We did look at a 3 week option but the model indicated that this would not get us to the recycling levels that we need and so was discounted. The paper goes into the black box and a net will stop your paper from blowing - if you need a net then PM us and we'll get you one, no problem. There is currently a flap lid on the blue cardboard bag.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:22 · Like
Barry Jones So, has each size of household in Torfaen been assessed to see if the two week collection is viable. I believe from your answer you are saying no.
This seems to be a simple numbers game, you states in this session that this is simply to avoid the fines, that suggests little thought to the needs of the residents.
If you reduce the collection frequency by 50% and leave the recycling as it is, with no improvement to this service, you simply meet the targets by failing to meet the needs of your customers, us, the constituents and tax payers.
Can you even begin to justify this as anything but a late and lazy reaction, and poor implementation of the recycling commitment in Torfaen?
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 11
Richard John We have a small black bin that lasts us 2 weeks,along with recycling all the right things in the places,so it works,a small bin won't last 4 weeks,what's my options ?
10 June at 18:22 · Like · 1
Heather Sutton Moore At the end of the day I would say this thread is a waste of time because the Council have already made up their minds what they are going to do. To cut waste they need to bring in recycling for the flats they have collection for black bins every week and don't have to recycle there is enough rubbish dumped around the corner from me ie beds carpets etc and now we will have black bags no doubt dumped there Torfaen is becoming a joke
10 June at 18:23 · Like · 2
Howard Thompson How will this work for a larger family? We will have a family of 5 one week and 7 the next? We recycle everything now and can't cope on 2 weeks....... Thanks.
10 June at 18:23 · Like · 1
Tracy Hails How about you save money by not investing it in new sized bins Which are not proved to save any money. Stick to what we have and reduce our taxes or invest in your employees training on how to replace the bins on the pavement - not in the middle of the road - and how to pick up the litter they have strewn on the road and left. Perhaps they could be monitored on performance and fined where necessary too...obviously reward those great performers who actually carry out their duties on time. ..I wouldn't want to generalise obviously.
10 June at 18:23 · Like · 5
Torfaen Lynda Clarkson Hi Lynda, we currently do offer a recycling service to businesses.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:24 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh Will you provide a larger container to replace the way to small black boxes? (For which I have never even seen a net let alone had one myself) I fill that very quickly leaving little choice but to put subsequent waste into the large bin.
10 June at 18:24 · Like · 3
Simon Jenkins 1 - Paper bring banks in Torfaen are to be removed, starting this week - This will add to the can / bottles banks already removed, this is not helping recyling - how many people in torfaen have no kerbside collection and need these banks ?
2 - Has the new updated recycling we now have been checked to see the stats now, to see how it is going ? Juice boxes and other plastics now added , did that help the figures ? What are the new figures with the new recycling ?
3 - Why are so many recycling bins not being collected weekly, and left until the next day , lack of vehicles? the vehicles not big enough for the extra recycling ?
4 - Are torfaen making any of the big companies / food suppliers etc likes of tescos/asda/morrisons etc limit the size of the packaging used, or use only recyclable packaging only - these super markets are selling items with well over the top packaging.
5 - Are the schools recycling fully yet ? and are TCBC themselves recycling ?
6 - With 400k pumped yearly into a farm - the only asset that sees an increase in our money spent on it , why are our services still being cut ?
7 - Would Torfaen benefit from a free bin service for local companies to recycle - i.e. Bottle/can/cardboard bins provided to company - when they fill the bin the contact TCBC for collection - mass recycling to add to the figures - sure this would be cheaper that say changing all to smaller bins (which I guess will cost a lot).
8 - Why is it so hard to rid yourself of rubbish via New Inn dump ? Are these figures added to recycling figures ?
9 - Why are metals , woods etc not collected and recycled ?
10 - What do TCBC currently recycle and are these going to be added to ? Which are kerbside / which are New Inn dump for e.g.
11 - Many are not recycling at all - is recycling going to became a must do ?
12 - How will TCBC manage the already high flytipping in areas that will come from over filled bins ?
13 - What services will be offered to people with young families and nappies ? I wouldn't have thought these should be stored anywhere long without an health risk.
14 - Are TCBC going to give us free pest control due to the extra time the rubbish will need to be stored ? And if they are in bags, where are these supposed to be stored - NOn the roadside/pavements or in houses , seems very unhealthy.
15 - Would TCBC having a collection service for old metal items work ? Phone up collect metal, dump metal at metal merchants and add the money collected back into our services (free of charge to customer)
16 - Recently a few bags at Cwmbran recycle , that took 30 minutes to remove from a flytipping supposely cost 700 pounds - how do you work out 700 pounds for say total a few hours work and some fuel ?
17 - Why is it when rubbish (recycling bags etc) are dumped by a recycle bank, and a TCBC litter pick team arrives that they cannot put it in the van and take it back to recycle ? Why is another vehicle sent out instead ?
18 - How many of these little 'recycle' vans that take the flytipped rubbish do we have in Torfaen ? (Small van with what looks like a green area for recyclables at the front end, and a set of doors of bigger items at the back)
19 - Why is flytipping not taken seriously in Torfaen ? Temp. cameras and heavy fines should be in place to try to stop/limit the problem - up until now less than a handful have been fined over years in Torfaen.
10 June at 18:24 · Like · 20
Victoria Jones So putting nappys into a bin for a monthly collection, bring on the rats, maggots and illnesses that come with it! So stupid
10 June at 18:25 · Like · 1
Torfaen Simon Draper Hi Simon, no, this is about encouraging people to recycle more so the crews will shift from one stream to another.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:25 · Like
Sue Williams There are enough rats around as it is this system is going to produce more we seem to be going backwards in this country not forwards
10 June at 18:25 · Like
Vicky Savage They black box nets are thrown in the rubbish by your bin men , when I asked for it to be return we had a rude response. The blue paper bag does have a flap but .... It doesn't stick or survive the rain and wind just to support a few comments on here !
10 June at 18:26 · Like · 5
Beverley Barrett I'd be interested to know the figures of fly tipping now in comparison to when refuse was being collected weekly?
10 June at 18:26 · Like
Lynda Clarkson It seems a little short sighted that you have only just increased the range of items that can be recycled and haven't given it much time to see how much the contents of black bins is reduced as a result. The recycling service you've offered has been substandard until very recently. Were these assessments carried out before the improvement in curb side recycling?
10 June at 18:26 · Edited · Like · 6
Torfaen Liz Chapman Powell Buck Hi Liz, the decision will be made by members later this year and the outcome of this consultation will inform that decision. It's important therefore that you ensure your voice is heard by saying which of the options you prefer.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:26 · Like
Lisa Crowley Maybe if your refuse collectors emptied the bins in a proper fashion people would make an effort, my black bin is always put back but all the recycling bins/bag are a nightmare. Every tuesday is hunt the bin/bag normally at least 10 doors down or the next street, so no wonder people dont make the effort, maybe a little extra training on how to put things back and you never know we might start recycling propely.
10 June at 18:26 · Like · 5
Kirsty McCarthy I did say we use reusable nappys so that's not a problem, we still have full bins every fortnight!
10 June at 18:27 · Like · 1
Andrew Robins How is this a 'consultation' TBCC have made the decision to give its public 3 options which are bias to what the public need. So what kind of consultation is this? Consultation means getting input from the public.... this is input from the public after TBCC have already decided what they are doing. Just like they always do. What a farce
10 June at 18:27 · Like · 2
Barry Jones Torfaen, am I reading your statements correctly? Whenever anyone makes a positive suggestion, you simply say that the maths of it don't work. Are you really openly telling us that all that has been considered is the mathematics of dividing the current level of recycling, into an overall waste number, then reducing that waste number on a sliding scale until it meets the required value, then reducing the collections to match! I'm screen shorting this for prosperity. It's incredible, but I'm glad your being open about it.
10 June at 18:28 · Like · 4
Sally York I'd like some business recycling information cos this is the first I've heard and Torfaen council is my landlord at my business premises???
10 June at 18:28 · Like · 6
Martin G Pick It would great if you collected the current recycling. 2 weeks now you have failed to collect black recycling box from Parc Panteg. I need a new box now as mine is overflowing with my recycling.
10 June at 18:28 · Edited · Like
Torfaen Stephanie King Stephanie, all of the options will actually save money due to the reduction in waste going to landfill and the cost of providing bins or bags (depending on which option members go for) has been included within those calculations.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:28 · Like
Rhiannon Fowler You have access to information regarding single occupancy households, perhaps start with giving these houses smaller bins only. I think more would be recycled if the black box was a larger bin. Ours is full weekly with more going into the black bin as it wont fit and ends up blown over the road if we overfill - we now have a second box. Perhaps use the green bin for compostable waste, i.e garden waste, food waste and paper & cardboard (get rid of the blue bag). Ideally the onus would be take off the household and a recycling centre would be set up in torfaen, that way all rubbish goes into the black bin for a weekly collection and it is sorted elsewhere,
10 June at 18:29 · Like · 2
Alison Bellhouse Hi both, I fully appreciate we have targets to reach and it will difficult to please everyone, I have come across a scheme that my son has joined in his area of Portsmouth, seems like a good idea and a great incentive.
I have placed a link for you to have a look at the big recycle which rewards correct recycling and has proved popular and effective.
10 June at 18:29 · Like · 2 · Remove Preview
Mike Hilton We recyle everything we possibly can and we still fill our black bin so what do you propose we do with the extra waste when say we have filled the little black bin or the 2 refuse sacks, for instance we have a dog and ferrets they will fill a black bag once a week after they are cleaned out wich would leave nothing for household waste. I believe that these proposals will lead to an increase in fly tipping if people are left withrubbish that they can't have taken away so this will cost the council more in trying to prevent fly tipping or catch people who are fly tipping. If we are told that we have to take surplus waste to the tip then i for one would take all my waste to the tip therefore i would expect to see a drop in my council tax
10 June at 18:29 · Like · 4
Lynda Clarkson Still waiting for an answer to my question about businesses and large organisations, you must know the answer!
10 June at 18:29 · Like · 1
Torfaen Jason O'Connell England has different targets to Wales and as a national are achieving a much lower recycling rate than Torfaen and Wales.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:30 · Like
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Torfaen wants to hit its 'target' but is NOT listening to its customers. To increase recycling you need to address the issues with flats and communal bins. We are doing our bit. Now torfaen needs to address those who do nothing to recycle now! No where have you given evidence that any proposed option increases the chances of people who don't do it now suddenly start recycling
10 June at 18:30 · Like · 4
Karen Williams Please no to black bags I love in a more rural part of torfaen the foxes would rip them to shreds ideally stay as we are bit a compromise for me would be a smaller bin but every two weeks
10 June at 18:31 · Like · 3
Darran Powell Why not pick up weekly like Torfaen uaed to no confusion no messing about job done
10 June at 18:31 · Like
Louise Brokof Please please re consider. We are a family of 4 and recycle everything. We have a composter for food waste. 2 black boxes filled every week and a full cardboard. We cant recycle anymore yet we have a full black bin at the end of the fortnight. Im extremely worried as we cant do anymore
10 June at 18:31 · Like · 2
Gemma Croome-davies What research has been conducted into what people are putting in the black bins? I recycle everything possible I believe, and still end up with a nearly full bin in a fortnight. Maybe you could have a look at my rubbish and give me some constructive advice, instead of penalising me? Maybe people require education and encouragement rather than punishment
10 June at 18:31 · Like · 5
Anne Grist Cant agree more about the monthly collection. What s stupid idea. We are a family of 6, we struggle as it is now doing all the right things. Yes nappies will be awful on a monthly collection. You cant be serious??
10 June at 18:31 · Like · 4
Tom Davies If this is about encouraging people to recycle then why not offer council tax rebates to the best areas. Surely the problem is that the people within the district are paying more and more each year for ever decreasing services. Offer an incentive and work with the people
10 June at 18:32 · Like · 4
Marie Bainton Darryl Bainton tcbc want to start listening instead of dictating they are a waste of space
10 June at 18:32 · Like · 1
Vicky Savage I agree can we see information and figures on businesses
10 June at 18:32 · Like · 1
Ben Rooke Yet again local government is prioritising targets and financial incentives over its customers needs..i think its time for a change.. Members dont care about our voice.. The decision has already been made..
10 June at 18:32 · Like
Debi Alexander I'd like to know about the cat litter and what size family qualify for larger bins as myself my 3 children and grand child live at my address two of which are 2 and under so what about nappies they'd fill smaller bins alone and with teenager and two babies how meant tell them no male rubbish ur goin to encourage fly tipping and rats
10 June at 18:32 · Like · 1
Gemma Thomas Good Evening - if the option of the 140L smaller black bin is the most favourable option chosen, I see these will cost £750,000 to purchase, with this initial outlay how long will payback take and what will happen to the large black bins we have now please, will the Council collect and get any rebate on them? (I've submitted my response to the consultation and chosen the current bin once a month option), thanks
10 June at 18:34 · Like · 2
Paul Griffiths Go back to weekly collections !! Rubbish in summer hanging about for 2 weeks stinks and is a health hazard many people have there bins crawling with flies and maggots !!
10 June at 18:34 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ali J Griffiths Ali, as it happens, I do! In fact I was out this morning in a couple of areas seeing how the crews were operating. If need be, the crews will be spoken to about what I see. What I often observe though is black wheelie bins which clearly contain materials that can be recycled.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:34 · Like · 2
Andrew Harrison We are a family of five in our household, including two teenagers. I would be happy to move to a monthly bin collection. We recycle everything we can, leaving just one black bag of waste each week.
10 June at 18:34 · Like
Heather Sutton Moore Lets hope its not black bags as there will be black bags ripped open all over the place and who is going to clean that up ?
10 June at 18:35 · Like
Marc Hurford The aim of this change is to increase recycling yet there is nothing in the consultation on how households can increase recycling or where they can put this recyclable material. If the black bin is reduced then by balance there should be an increased area for the recycling...perhaps one large recycling bin rather than the loads off boxes, bags, caddies etc. What say you Torfaen???
10 June at 18:35 · Edited · Like · 1
Jay Cox The 3 ideas that you put up are a joke we recycle but our bin is still full in a week the only thing that's going to happen is cwmbran is going to look like a dumping ground I have already seen bags dumped go back to weekly emptying
10 June at 18:35 · Like · 1
Tracey Gates It would be nice to have a bin, as mine was taken 2 weeks ago and I rang and asked if it was in the yard and they said no straight away, all they said you have to pay £20 for a new 1 . Now if it was a fault of my own like if it was damaged and couldn't use it then fair enough but it's not.
10 June at 18:36 · Like · 3
Karen Williams We wouldn't require replacement bins if we used the green garden waste bins who fills one of those every two weeks anyway
10 June at 18:36 · Like
Paul Mugleston Can't see this working, the various boxes and bags aren't practical either. I have five different receptacles for waste/recycling. If the council had joined up their thinking in the first place they could have had a black bin for normal waste and a bin with dividers in for recycling.
Face it this consultation is no such thing, as per normal the council will go ahead and do what it wants. Whether that involves cutting lollipop ladies, wasting money on storing laptops or subsiding the farm. It's your money and they'll spend it however they want! Rant over
10 June at 18:36 · Like · 2
Torfaen Matt Watkins Stephanie King Larger families (6 or more) are entitled to an extra bin. Some families receive weekly collections because they have a medical need so they could be entitled to it. If you believe that people have either of these and are not entitled to it, PM us and we'll look into it.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:37 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, are you open to taking away any suggestions being made or is the point of this simply to close down each and every one of them. Despite all the positive suggestions I have seen I haven't read once that you are taking the idea away for consideration. There is a clear messages both hear and in the other thread stagy your customers and your electorate require this to be reconsidered.
10 June at 18:37 · Like · 2
Bethan O'Callaghan Hi, first of all it would help if Torfaen would actually collect the recycling. My recycling has been collected for two weeks! I suggest a wheelie bin for the recycling as can recycle more and we won't have problems with rubbish flying out of blue bags/black boxes which is dangerous. It may be useful also to give households and up to date list of what can actually be recycled now.
10 June at 18:38 · Like
Jay Cox Have torfaen got the balls to let the pubic decide about weekly emptying
10 June at 18:38 · Like · 1
Torfaen Sarah Stephens Hi Sarah, unfortunately we can't target those who don't recycle through fines, for example, because the law doesn't allow us to do that. What we do undertake is targetted campaigns in specific areas, including door knocking, to encourage these people to recycle. Our aim is to help them as much as possible.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:39 · Like · 1
Tom Davies Why is it that to help you meet your target of recycling you are just going to collect less frequently or less rubbish. How can that possibly be a good thing. Its a lie. Your not recycling any more then before, all you are doing is collecting less so the ratio of recycled waste to non recycled waste is higher. Its pretty much fraud.
10 June at 18:39 · Like · 2
Gareth Griffiths our green bin hasn't been collected today? in Sebastopol. You know the green recycling bin that your talking about? and half of the tins in our black box are in the road due to laziness. Thanks.
10 June at 18:39 · Like · 3
Craig 'pugy' Pugh Could you answer me ref larger 'black box' please. I'm very interested to know.
10 June at 18:40 · Like
Matt Watkins Can you define medical needs and what medical conditions allow a second bin/weekly collections?
10 June at 18:40 · Like · 1
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters You still haven't given us any evidence that decreasing collections increases recycling. If you are truly democratic you would count up the comments on here and give numbers of positives to your proposals and numbers of negatives. That would show you everyone is against the ideas.
10 June at 18:40 · Like
Torfaen Craig Lewis Unfortunately, doing nothing is not an option for us. If you feel you are recycling everything and still cannot cope then please PM and we'll send a waste awareness officer along to chat with you to see what further help we can offer you to recycle more.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:40 · Like
Lisa Evans I don't even have a black box I work all day by the time I get home in the evenings someone's had it! last 3 boxes went this way..very frustrating...when I use one of my own plastic boxes it doesn't get emptied.
10 June at 18:40 · Like · 1
Georgina Smith I would just like to mention for certain bin bags left out will attract no end of vermin and in Cwmbran there are already too many rats about. Not to mention cats and strays. Families living in flats will have nowhere to store the amount of rubbish created if there was a monthly collection. I can't see it working.
10 June at 18:41 · Like
Robert Samuel The difference between having 5 or 6 in a family is very minimal, but the latter get an extra bin? The nappy collection should already have been in place for years!
10 June at 18:41 · Like
Nicola Davies-House There's no provision for businesses to recycle /or flats There's your shortfall right there. And go after the people who do no recycling at all -- why have the majority got to suffer for other people. It's getting to be like a third world. We'll have fly tipping everywhere and neighbours arguing when other people sneak rubbish into their bins. What about the environmental damage of firstly creating the bins then collecting them ( diesel) then recycling them and then when this stupid idea fails or when the people of Torfaen finally wake up and get rid of their corrupt useless labour run council and another fresher council takes over we will get the bins back again ( more environmental damage to produce them)
10 June at 18:41 · Like · 2
Sue Price Is there any chance you could arrange some road shows for the weekend to enable Monday - Friday workers to listen to the information and ask questions face to face? Thanks.
10 June at 18:42 · Like
Emma Mayers I discovered today that blocks of flats do not hav recycling facilities why not? surely this would raise the amount of recycling level. Also why do you not collected from businesses? they have plenty of scrap paper, cardboard & plastic & that is just where I work?
10 June at 18:42 · Like · 1
Ken Davies As i expected the q+a are going nowhere torfaen seem to have a answer for all question's
10 June at 18:42 · Like · 1
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Could i get a reply plz torf ?
10 June at 18:42 · Like
Torfaen Sallena Stephens Can you PM us a photo because if it's predominantly cardboard or the plastic bottles then it can be recycled. Show us what you've got and we'll let you know. Thanks
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:42 · Like · 1
Sarah Stephens Thank you. How do you target them? How do you know who recycles and who doesn't?
10 June at 18:43 · Like
David Jeffries Refuse and recycling needs to be collected regularly and reliably unlike at present, for the last 4 weeks my cardboard and food caddy having been ignored, thus resulting in cardboard turning to mush and the food going rotten attracting flies galore
10 June at 18:43 · Like · 1
Emma Mayers Do your vehicles run on diesel or bio-fuels? theres a good bit of recycling there
10 June at 18:43 · Like · 1
Barry Jones Torfaen, there is one post supporting your proposal, and hundreds against it, your customers and electorate require you to respond to this avalanche of negativity and well thought out counter proposals.
10 June at 18:43 · Like · 2
Debi Alexander If u chose black bags then how u going to know if people put extra bags out as aslong as there's no name or address in bags u can't trace it or u going to leave bags in street
10 June at 18:43 · Like · 2
Rachel Williams I don't like either of the 3 options as none will work for me. Torfaen, what about households that have dogs and other pets? You can't expect animal waste to be kept in bags on the kerbside, what about the health risk of zoonotic diseases? Plus wouldn't it also be a health issue if stored for a month? And the smell in the summertime would be horrendous!!!!
If your aim is to make people aware of what the can recycle, where are these leaflets? I've not had any through the post!
Wouldn't these proposals force more people to go to the tip, where does the rubbish from the tip go? Doesn't that go to landfill?
10 June at 18:44 · Like · 6
Torfaen Jane Morris Hi Jane, we're not currently proposing this because the cost to the council outweighs the overall benefit in recycling. However, as part of the consultation, I would encourage you to add this as a comment for members' consideration.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:44 · Like
Andrew Harrison Is there anything the council can do to help schools recycle more. I'm thing more of helping with cardboard collections
10 June at 18:45 · Like
Torfaen Sue Williams If you can provide me with date, time, place, I can investigate this and deal as necessary. Anything dropped by the crews should be picked up by them.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:45 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh Did you really just say that? ^^^
10 June at 18:45 · Like · 1
Tom Davies How come you are only replying to a select few questions???????????????
10 June at 18:45 · Like · 3
Emma Mayers And vermin david jefferies & don't forget that torfaen expect us now to pay to get rid of them
10 June at 18:46 · Like
Cathy Davies I think regular bin collections are really needed. What if you do random checks to make sure everyone is recycling and give fines to those who aren't?
10 June at 18:46 · Like · 1
Michelle Davies Rubbish is already being dumped in the trees out side my house reduced bin size or collections will make this worse! I am a responsible dog owner that cleans up after her dog the prospect of this waste being in my bin for 4 weeks is not appealing, it will stink! Attracting unwanted visitors to my property.
10 June at 18:46 · Like · 3
Rachel Watkins If you change to the two bags a fortnight how will you determine that every house hold is only putting out two bags if there are no numbers on them??
10 June at 18:46 · Like · 2
Torfaen Angela Knowles Half of our flats receive a recycling service. We are currently looking at the other half and aim to roll this service out to them this year. We're having to look at these flatted properties on a case by case basis to see what system will work best for them.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:46 · Like
Lynda Clarkson I still haven't received a satisfactory answer to my question about business waste and large organisations. What services do you provide and how are you encouraging them to reduce their waste going to landfill? Much of the waste we see fly tipped is obviously business waste, recyclable or not and the costs of clearance take away valuable resources. You've stopped providing local recycling points, which are always full to the brim, Where will this waste go now?
10 June at 18:47 · Like · 2
Torfaen Stephanie King Stephanie, all the costs are included within the scrutiny report, which you can access from the consultation page.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:47 · Like
Matthew Evans What % increase in recycling rates do these 3 options bring? I have read and appreciate the savings but the main objective should be to reach the 58%. If we chose the smaller bin as our choice, what are the returns in doing this?
10 June at 18:47 · Like · 1
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board To be fair how can you have taken into account everything when i know for a fact flats in pontnewynydd do not recycle at all and get weekly collections!!! Surely you would be better putting your efforts into getting them recycling and then re calculate your figures before you make everyone suffer!!!! And seen as ur wanting to spend money on new bins then you could give us all bins for our recycling xxx
10 June at 18:47 · Like · 4
Jane Ann Newbold none of it is going to work by putting black bins to monthly ur just going to have RATS everywhere and it will get worse because the rubbish will be everywhere
10 June at 18:47 · Like
Kate Osment I think Torfaen provide a really easy to use waste and recycling service and have personally never had any problems. Would rather fortnightly slim bins - a month is a long time! Nappy collection would certainly ease the pressure too.
10 June at 18:47 · Like
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Why are you not sending a waste awareness officer to all the flats and businesses. That would increase your % recycling. You are strangely quiet about flats torfaen!
10 June at 18:48 · Like · 2
Gary Phillips Torfaen Nobody is answering which option, because there isnt an option we want. A month is ridiculous, I had a new washing machine this week and the polystyrene and plastic half filled my Large black bin on its own.Bags would blow all over the place even more so than the blue bags and black boxes do now(especially in Varteg & Blaenavon), and I think smaller bins costs too much to implement. I recycle everything I can using 2 black boxes every week, however I agree with everyone else regarding the prisoners who do the job learning how to replace them at the door(ish) without smashing them to bits in the process. If I had young children in the house I would be phoning every week for a new one as I wouldnt be able to have the sharp edges in the house which we currently suffer, maybe when I cut my leg open on one and sue you something might get done.
10 June at 18:48 · Like · 2
Georgina Smith Torfaen when are you going to start answering people? I thought this was a consultation???
10 June at 18:48 · Like · 2
Jamie Craufurd Do Torfaen have the budget for replacing everyone's black bin with a smaller one? What is the cost and Torfaen's budget?
Can we see your assessment of the environmental impact of using black bags rather than closed bins?
Without a thorough response to the above we can all assume you were only ever planning to push through option 3.
The people of Torfaen do not want any of the 3 options.
10 June at 18:48 · Like · 2
Lynda Clarkson Same as businesses and large organisations Catherine? What is being done to make them reduce what they send to landfill?
10 June at 18:48 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams I heard today that flats and business dnt recycle, is this true and do you recycle ?
10 June at 18:49 · Like · 2
William Seabourne Would the council be giving out bigger recycling bins or more of the same size but different colours to help the kerb side collectors… oh could you give the current crews a litter picker to tidy up after themselves
10 June at 18:49 · Like · 1
Robert Bynt Hiya Torfaen...What will happen if you use the smaller bin option and we have 2 much rubbish.....Will the refuge collectors take the extra....
10 June at 18:49 · Like
Kerry Duke We recycle as much as we possibly can, despite this our black bin still gets full. I think a lot more needs to be done by shops and supermarkets to consider recyclable packaging.
10 June at 18:50 · Like · 2
Gareth James Hi Dana, you look hot, can I take you out on a date please. Thanks, Gareth x
10 June at 18:50 · Like · 1
Torfaen Steve Thomas Hi Steve, we offer a weekly food waste collection and that is remaining the same so all food waste should be placed in the brown food caddy. Plastic food trays can also be collected in the black recycling box. The article pre-dates when separate food collections were introduced.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:51 · Like
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Flats torfaen flats. What are you doing about flats. There are loads in torfaen. Address these issues
10 June at 18:51 · Like · 2
Tom Davies Are you able to provide figures about how much you recycle?
10 June at 18:51 · Like
Jeff Parry If you want us to recycle more you have increase the types of products you can recycle. You can't stand still on this. You cannot fine people but you can get out of the office and educate people. The alternative is that we vote our councillors out and find people in the council who will actually make real proposals and not undertake fixed consultations where the result is already known.
10 June at 18:51 · Like
Simon Jenkins haha is this a dating service Gareth
10 June at 18:51 · Like · 1
Kate 'Hewitt' Noyes Pontypool College don’t recycle at all. The large office where I work on the Llantarnum industrial estate are not able to recycle food waste or cardboard as Torfaen CBC do not run collections for this on the site (which has many other large businesses) I have been told that many Torfaen school are also not fully recycling. If Torfaen CBC need to improve recyling targets, I really believe they should tackle issues like this BEFORE placing further measures on householders. Could you tell me if this is being looked at please?
10 June at 18:52 · Edited · Like · 6
Tasha Ann Summers Is it possible to get a 2nd black recycling box as mine is constantly overflowing
10 June at 18:51 · Like
Torfaen thank you for all your comments and questions so far - we are working our way through them and will try to answer all questions as we get to them
Commented on by Neil Jones · 10 June at 18:51 · Like
Peter James Dalling i do believe that the local councils do get paid for waste they recycle though
10 June at 18:51 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, I think you need to consider the scale of this consultation task again, you are failing to answer the questions in this session in a timely and acceptable manner. You will not answer them all before the Q&A session ends. How are you going to address the failure of this session to meet the needs of your customers?
10 June at 18:51 · Like · 4
Jeanette Stone will the collectors clean up the bottles etc, that they drop and just walk away from, and also chase away the flies and rats that will gather if you have a four week collection, especially if you have black bags, and at the end of the day we pay enough council tax to have them emptied on a weekly basis, council tax goes up yearly but the services decline yearly,,
10 June at 18:52 · Like · 5
Tasha Ann Summers Also i haven't got a green or brown food caddy my landlord said he was going to aort it out but haven't heard anything
10 June at 18:52 · Like
Cerys Mair Barrett I recycle everything possible and my black bin is never full, not even close! I vote for slimmer bins fortnightly. Keep up the great work Torfaen waste team x
10 June at 18:52 · Like · 1
Ken Davies Like i said earlier your not interested in ppl have to say!! Your stupid muppets and buffoons have already set things in motion and no matter what We the council tax payer is saying this is already set in stone!! We all now know how you wheel and deal
10 June at 18:52 · Like · 1
Jodie Davies personally i prefer to keep this bin and have monthly collection there are five of us including a fifteen week old baby but could do this at a push. However i now feel the black boxes for recycling are inadequate i use two a week and feel a black bin would be better and surely by having more room it would encourage more recycling . To make a proper informed decision though it would be nice to know which one would save us the most money ?
10 June at 18:53 · Like
Jonathan Tattershall Of all the "recyclable" waste that was cleared from the sides of the roads where there rubbish is dumped you would soon hit your targets... Young Offenders used o give back time in the community by doing this. Other community services should be put to better use
10 June at 18:53 · Like
Ken Davies Cerys you have a familly do you
10 June at 18:53 · Like · 1
Torfaen Leanne Cornelius Leanne, cat litter and dog mess go in the black bin. If you don't think a monthly collection will work, then please state this when you respond to the consultation. Monthly collections are just one of the options being proposed.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:53 · Like · 1
Kerry Duke Also the multi bin option has been around some time, although some people have continued to ignore it and still remain putting all rubbish in their big black wheelies...... Can't they be targeted too and fines implemented to the minority who think they are above following the rules.
10 June at 18:54 · Like · 1
Torfaen Gemma Goku Matthews Gemma, if you need a net for your box, which will stop things blowing around, then please PM us or get in touch with Call Torfaen and we can provide you with one free of charge.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:54 · Like
Kirsty McCarthy The overwhelming majority of us don't think any of your options will work... So what do you propose?
10 June at 18:54 · Like · 2
Lynda Clarkson Kate I think they know the answer to our questions about business waste off the top of their heads. They manage the service after all
10 June at 18:54 · Like · 2
Sally Wedlock Torfaen, if you are proposing to increase recycling over the area then maybe you should look at increasing the variety of recycling materials you are prepared to take. Plastic packaging is being left in our recycling black box and we have no option then but to put it in the black bin. How about working with /pressurising food manufacturers to decrease the amount of wasteless packaging they insist on bombarding consumers with? How about increasing green bin collections to throughout the winter months too, people still have pet and garden waste to dispose of throughout the whole year?
10 June at 18:55 · Like · 1
Ken Davies They will propose nothing kirsty
10 June at 18:55 · Like
Vicky Savage If I call tomorrow will I also get a replacement net ?
10 June at 18:55 · Like
Gemma Croome-davies I would appreciate an answer to my question....what are people putting their black bins now? What research has been done? Show me what items in MY black bin could have been handled differently, this is not much of a consultation , many valid points have been ignored on this thread
10 June at 18:55 · Like · 2
John Jackson I have not read all the comments but too many residents DO NOT recycle. Count the black bins put out on collection day and count the recycle bins and food bins, there are far fewer recycle bins that black bins. Many families make huge efforts to recycle all they can yet they will be the ones who foot the bill because some lazy people just don't care. Hit the non recyclers in the pocket not all of us.
10 June at 18:56 · Like · 8
James Coleman Have we as Torfaen signed up to use the Viridor incinerator facility at Cardiff when it goes online creating electricity to put back into the national grid ? If so wouldn't that justify more waste and less recycling thus creating more fuel to burn. If the end goal is renewable energy surley that is better than recycling altogether .
10 June at 18:56 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ben Rapier Hi Ben. Very good point and the Welsh Government are pursuing this with the manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, Torfaen cannot influence the industry but we can, and have, lent our support to discussions that packaging generally should be reduced. When people recycle everything they can, the majority of what is left in the black bin is packaging.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:56 · Like · 1
Gareth James And me! Come on Dana!
10 June at 18:56 · Like
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Be careful about these nets. The recycle guys don't like them and have smashed 2 of my black boxes cos I used them!
10 June at 18:57 · Like
Jem Jenkins-Jones What will happen with nappies? I read something about a seperate more frequent collection?
10 June at 18:57 · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones What ever option is selected, we will be putting in place additional capacity to deal with the additional recycling materials being collected. As mentioned in a previous post, the crews will move from one steam to another.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:57 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Ill try one more. Have you checked the fly tip clear up costs against the costs youll be saving by not providing the services we are curruntyly paying for ?
10 June at 18:58 · Like · 3
Jean Woolfall Why give us new smaller bins continue with fortnightly collections? Surely that's exactly what's happening now only with you bearing the cost of new smaller bins!! As been suggested why not allow more stuff to be recycled and have bigger recycling boxes???
10 June at 18:58 · Like · 3
John Bon Joby Evans Smaller bin and collection every fortnight.... Having read your status if can't help thinking people are using the debate for their own rant. just saying
10 June at 18:58 · Like · 3
Barry Jones Torfaen, the overwhelming majority if people are opposed to any of the options, what are you going to do about this?
10 June at 18:58 · Like · 1
Jonathan Tattershall I also do regular recycling, in most cases fill a black box a week, food waste box once a week. There's always way too much cardboard every two weeks that I end up hiding things away for next time, or when i visit the tip in New Inn.
Black bin is always full up with non recyclable waste so reducing the size won't be practical. Neither will monthly collections.
Green bin collections has worked in the past year, so at least your doing something right, but the leaves are an issue in the Autumn/Winter, when you have finished collecting.
Would love a nappy collection too.
10 June at 18:59 · Like
Torfaen Richard John If you already have a small black bin and are coping with a fortnightly collection then you are effectively an early adopter of what is being proposed. The options are either a big bin (240L) once per month or a skinny bin (140L) fortnightly or a bag system with one bag per week, maintaining a fortnightly collection. We're not proposing a monthly collection with the skinny bin.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 18:59 · Like
Robert Bellhouse Hi, From reading the report I understand and agree that changes need to be made to meet targets as the fines will be big. (100k for every 1% under). Option C is my favorite but can you explain why promotion costs for this will equal £57k?
10 June at 18:59 · Like
Michelle Morgan Could you please explain the nappy collection please? Because, to be honest, having 1 bin collection per month for a family who uses about 50 stinking nappies a week is going to be gross. Every 2 weeks is bad enough, especially in the summer. Breeding ground for maggots.
10 June at 19:00 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh How is the % of what is and isn't recycled calculated? Does anyone know?
10 June at 19:01 · Like · 2
Wendy Keyte I agree with some of the comments above and personally find the current waste and recycling service good and easy to use. ( My only criticism is that the collection is sometimes way too early - before 7am (we are obviously at the start of a round) and unless our bins go out the night before get missed.) If it was decided to go down the black bag route, would these be provided by the council or would residents be expected to fund these on top of the council tax that we already pay?
10 June at 19:01 · Like
Robert Bynt How about collection during the winter months when we have snow on the ground etc.....Rubbish may go a lot longer in some areas before being collected so what happens then.....If we have smaller bins or only 2 black bags....If we then have to purchase our own bags would we be reimbursed....Also on the point of taking rubbish ourselves to tip not everyone has a car and the ones who do have transport why should we have to pay for fuel to do this when you as a council surely has this responsibility as we pay you council tax...
10 June at 19:01 · Edited · Like
Simon Jenkins Looking at your answers Kate - Its seems TCBC are again only targeting the wrong people - the big places/companies locally that could recycle and are prob. very willing are not being helped to recycle - shame its another 1/2 hearted effort from TCBC - companies will recycle but not the best options open via TCBC - I would be jumping to get these companies on board and reducing the ratio - sadly I can see that this is only a labour ploy to tell us 'them up London' are cutting back our monies and we are cutting your services, but when they throw 400k of our money into a farm and all our services are hit 0 then you can only blame the ones voting them in - believe it or not they all are working for US from OUR money, shame they don't actually work FOR us , and not against us..... Three options, not an option to reject it ? Select from one of the CUT-BACKS --- well thanks for the options of reduction or reduction in services - I already know its been decided
10 June at 19:01 · Edited · Like · 1
Torfaen Craig 'pugy' Pugh Craig, you can have as many black boxes as you need and all our boxes come with nets automatically. If you need replacement nets then please PM us or get in touch with Call Torfaen and we'll get some out to you.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:02 · Like
Caergybi Rowlands Is that why you are now charging £40 for the rat catcher now, because you can make money from it due to your decision to change the Bin system ?
10 June at 19:02 · Like · 1
Torfaen Simon Jenkins Hi Simon, nice to talk to you again. You've asked 19 questions which will take some time to answer so we'll get back to you these later.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:02 · Like · 3
Jonathan Tattershall Torfaen have already cut a pile of Sevices. Improving services you have stated but I cannot agree. Overgrown areas making the landscape look terrible. Not to mention the roads... The A4042 looks dreadful, yet this road is used so widely and it a great asset, but is very much ignored by highways... Great respect to those who were cleaning the roads in Pontypool a few weeks back.
10 June at 19:03 · Like
Torfaen Victoria Jones Hi Victoria, all options include for a dedicated fortnightly nappy collection. Currently, residents put nappies in the black wheelie bin, which is collected fortnightly. The collection for nappies will remain at fortnightly but in a dedicated bag, which is extensively used throughout the country.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:04 · Like · 1
Beverley Barrett Are you able to answer my question please?
10 June at 19:04 · Like
William Seabourne Torfean I'm all for recycling but we need bigger or more black boxes if the council chooses to go to the skinny bins you help us and we'll help you hit you targets
10 June at 19:04 · Like
Deb Gill Would it be possible for the public use litter bins to have separate compartments for,plastic bottles , glass, and general rubbish. Also schools have no facilities for recycling, surely the council should be encouraging our youngster to recycle. Reinforcing what is learnt at home and even encouraging new families to recycle .
10 June at 19:04 · Like · 4
Dee Puckett Further information is required about how the three options will effectively meet the required increase in recycling when residents are telling you that they already recycle everything? Common sense states that these residents cannot recycle anymore than they are already doing, but that the impact of reduced collections of the current bin, now being called a large bin, or swapping to a smaller bin fortnightly (effectively the same option but with more costs for new smaller bins) will not in fact yield any more recycling, but necessitate more work of the residents to go the tip. Clear guidance and plans need to be developed for the obvious gaps being highlighted here, flats, businesses and a voluntary option for those wanting a smaller bin.
10 June at 19:04 · Edited · Like · 2
Tracey Gates So torfaen u can have as many black boxes and nets free of charge but not big black bins ?
10 June at 19:04 · Like
Torfaen Beverley Barrett Hi Beverly, incidences of flytipping have decreased in Torfaen.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:04 · Like
Rachel Bevan I agree that recycling for Torfaen's businesses needs looking into, and also the situation at the tip, but as for the options on offer, I don't see why everyone's so outraged. If residents are recycling 100% of the items that can be taken then there should be hardly any waste in the black bins.
Yes, larger families will need extra collections, and there ought to be a nappy collection service too (even then I think us parents should seriously be considering cloth nappies), but otherwise I don't see the problem. We NEED to take action on environmental issues instead of pretending we can carry on creating mountains of rubbish.
Monmouthshire are using the bag system. That seems the most sensible option to me.
10 June at 19:06 · Edited · Like · 2
Nicholas Wills The recycling collection team can't deal with the recycling now. Rubbish is left strewn across the road and black boxes thrown and broken for residents to clear.
In the summer the black bins already become infested with flies and maggots. We need a weekly collection returned and a recycling team who have some pride in their work!
The council will do what they want no matter what the residents say
10 June at 19:05 · Like · 6
Torfaen Hi Georgina Smith we are trying to work our way through all the questions as we get to them
Commented on by Neil Jones · 10 June at 19:05 · Like
Torfaen Craig 'pugy' Pugh Hi Craig, no plans for bigger bins but you can have as many black boxes as you need for your recycling. If you DM us your details we can arrange for additional boxes to be delivered.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 19:05 · Like
Shirley Ford Fifield Where I live it was the green bin to be emptied today, it was not emptied.....so what would happen if any of the proposal are implemented with the black bin and the bin men decide not to empty on our street ?
10 June at 19:05 · Like · 1
Gareth James Take it I've been blown out then
10 June at 19:05 · Like · 1
Nicola Taylor I am happy to either stay with fortnightly collections with a smaller bin or go monthly collection with same size bin, dont fancy the black bag option.
10 June at 19:05 · Like · 1
Torfaen Lynda Clarkson Hi Lynda, the independent assessment included for the mixed plastics and tetrapaks so that was taken into consideration.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:05 · Like
Beverley Barrett Thank you. Where would I be able to view these figures?
10 June at 19:06 · Like
Torfaen Lisa Crowley Provide me with date, time and place, and I will investigate. I investigate every such complaint and the crews are spoken to if necessary.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:06 · Like
Terri Blake Don't like the bag option (no mention of a bin where would these be stored while waiting for a collection!)... And the others are basically one bag a week .. surely the once a month would be more cost effective (no need to provide people with a new bin and only sending a crew for this lift once a month) .. however if there is an increase in recycling as I'm sure there will be would a simple black box be enough .. people are already complaining about them over flowing?
10 June at 19:06 · Like · 1
Glenys Haig I believe you are going through the motion of listening but you have already decided to go ahead. I believe this move will increase fly tipping and attract vermin and the cost of clean up will be more than the savings
10 June at 19:06 · Like · 5
Gemma Croome-davies I wait with baited breath
10 June at 19:07 · Like · 1
Torfaen Sally York Sally, PM us your details and we'll chat to you about the trade services we offer.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:08 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Given you already refuse to empty the green bins for half the year what happens to the thousands of pounds you still demand from us ?
10 June at 19:08 · Like
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
10 June at 19:08 · Like · 3 · Remove Preview
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Gemma. My breath has been bated for 30 minutes now. Torfaen are not answering the more difficult questions.
10 June at 19:08 · Like · 4
Jon Horlor To what contact would one report fly tipping? Is there a dedicated phone number or email address?
10 June at 19:08 · Like · 1
Kirsty Princess Dash i find it a stuggle with my rubbish being collected fortnightly withput it going to monthly . its a joke . we pay council tax and rep no benefits at all if u ask me .!!!!
10 June at 19:08 · Like · 2
Simon Jenkins Torfaen - take your time with the 19 Cynon I am happy with a result from last time, you did get the sweeper around my area and they have paid good attention with the sweeps too Thanks - and thanks for having this Q & A - I know a lot are upset by these 'changes' as I am Lets hope you can come to a happy medium - although the options are all sadly 'cutting' our basic service
10 June at 19:09 · Like
Matt Watkins Sorry Torfaen, can you answer my question above re medical conditions?
10 June at 19:11 · Like · 1
Torfaen @Martin G Pick We did have a problem in Parc Panteg today and we'll be coming back tomorrow for it so please leave your boxes out. We do sometimes get vehicle issues and try to keep people informed through social media. Sorry if this didn't get to you.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:11 · Like
Caergybi Rowlands Why does this apply to everyone e.g. 1 person living alone , a couple , a couple with 2 or 3 children when logic says that 1 person living alone will not have the same needs as a couple with children
10 June at 19:12 · Like · 4
Graham Matthews Priority's way out of whack. Your councillors will pay the price at the next election. Pathetic idea, ill conceived, using a sledge hammer to crack a nut. Fly tipping will be rife. Leave it as it is. Also loved the options - 3! None of which, were to leave the present system(and bin sizes) unchanged. You don't listen to public opinion anyway, the arrogance is as expected. TBC will be a joke, employ someone who can balance the books properly.
10 June at 19:12 · Like · 1
Torfaen @rhiannon fowler The kerbside sort method operated by Torfaen is the Welsh Government preferred method and they are strongly encouraging councils to use this method. There would be costs to having the material sorted elsewhere.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:13 · Like
Mike Harber I recently moved from the Torfaen area to caerphilly and the service is much better. The council tax is lower, you get a full sized bin and just throw anything recyclable in there, full sized bin for general waste, garden waste bags and food caddy for kitchen waste. Bins are emptied without fail. Recycling is done weekly as is garden kitchen waste and garden and general waste is every other week. Bins are also put back exactly where u left them and no rubbish is left across the road when the crew leave.
Why is it that Torfaen cannot achieve this when other councils they neighbour do? Maybe Torfaen need to consult with CCBC and take advice on the good service they provide
10 June at 19:14 · Like · 6
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Torfaen what would you suggest to people (who have already asked more than several times by phone by filling in the form and by email over the last 6 mnths!!!!) To do!!! And still has not been given extra and also for the nets because YOUR wonderful employees THROW them with the rubbish xxx
10 June at 19:14 · Like
Emma Mayers So u r lookin into what is best for flats & the recycle service it is pretty easy houses hav to do it flats has 2 do it.
10 June at 19:14 · Like
Torfaen @Alison bellhouse thanks for sending us the link. We have considered such schemes in the past but experience has shown they tend to be shortlived. But we will look into it.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:15 · Like
Kathryn Nicholls Torfaen I am very confused at how reducing our services and increasing your profits benefits anyone but you? Ive read through all comments made and other than the 3 pre decided options by yourselves you clearly feel under no obligation to listen to the majority are we not in a Democracy???
10 June at 19:15 · Like · 1
Craig 'pugy' Pugh What costs? You have a large recycling plant in new inn. The collections would be much much quicker leaving the collectors time to sort once a round is finished.
10 June at 19:15 · Like · 1
Billy Nomates Dana, you haven't changed since Gwent Police days.
10 June at 19:15 · Like
Lynda Clarkson All recyclable plastics should be accepted. People who already recycle generally feel the black boxes don't work for them and they break too easily. How about bags for recycling and bins for general waste? Storage is going to be an issue for all of us if black bags and monthly collections. At least recycling is a weekly service so not so difficult for the average terraced house to manage for storage. Love the green bins, works a treat. I could manage monthly bin collection but not a family of four me thinks. if reducing landfill is the aim the situation with businesses needs to be addressed asap.
10 June at 19:16 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, you need to go back to the start, your proposals and your consultation does not meet the needs of your customers. This Q&A session is not dealing with questions in the order that they are being asked, swathes of questions have been completely ignored, therefore the Q&A session although a good idea is not fit for purpose. Before you sign off can you address the failure to answer all the questions please?
10 June at 19:17 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Evidence elsewhere has shown that when black bins are reduced, people do participate in recycling.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:18 · Like
Emma Mayers You say there is no money for services as it is but you are proposing to give us all new smaller bins, how much is it going to cost the tax payer to purchase all the new bins? I say tax payer as alot of households (through no fault of there own) do not pay council tax
10 June at 19:19 · Like
Robert Bynt I see Torfaen that you still answered the question about what happens if collections are missed for a number of days....This can happen in the Winter months especially on side roads.....If you opt for the black bag option then obviously more black bags would be required than just 2....
10 June at 19:19 · Like
Jamie Craufurd Torfaen, is it true that you are halving collections to fund the new recycling centre construction in New Inn?
10 June at 19:19 · Like
Gaynor Morton Good evening, I acknowledge the rationale of why you are making these proposed changes and indeed the document is out for consultation. Are the council able to say how much extra cost would be involved in initially supplying smaller bins? Do the council acknowledge that fly tipping appears to be on the increase? this may very well be due to the fact that collections went fortnightly, people being turned away from the tip when they are doing a second trip, or not being issued with permits for van to enter the refuse tip? I have noticed an increase in fly tipping and strongly believe that this will raise further if collection is reduced to monthly or smaller bins are provided.
10 June at 19:20 · Like · 1
Kathryn Tovey The three options you state equate to exactly the same thing as far as quantity of rubbish is concerned. Also there is so much recycling now,I live off a road and have to carry my heavy boxes to the car park, there is no way I am making several trips . Also I also used recycling centre in stadium or fair water, why are they bring removed? My garden is simply not big enough to house several wheelie bins and and a 'recycling box system Why not introduce an ID system, if we used the tip they scan your card and we get a reduction in following years taxes, this is fair. EITHER WAY MAYBE THE COUNCIL IS SAVING MONEY BUT WE ARE BEING DIDDLED WITH OUR TAXES !!!
10 June at 19:21 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Is off to change my combats, prety sure im invisible lol viva fly tip!
10 June at 19:21 · Like · 1
Torfaen Karen Williams Please add your comments to the consultation response as to your preference for the skinny bin on a fortnightly basis. If everything is being recycled there should be very little in the black bin/bag that would attract foxes. Monmouth operate a restricted bag system and are quite a rural authority and when we've asked them about this, they've confirmed that they've not had an issue with foxes or other animals.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:21 · Like
Emma Mayers Ive noticed that barry jones, I have asked quite a few questions & not 1 hav been replied to
10 June at 19:22 · Like
Rhiannon Treherne ˚͜˚ I agree with Mike harper. I lived in Caerphilly and the recycling/bin system there is far superior. Brown wheelie bin where all your recycled items go in. Items do not get blown about like they do in recycle boxes.
10 June at 19:22 · Like · 1
Michelle Morgan So a single person living alone will have the same size boxes/bins/bags and amount of collection days as those in a large family? What the actual hell? So when our over filled bins start attracting flies and vermin we then have to pay to have torfaen Council come to sort it out? Convenient for you lot eh?
10 June at 19:22 · Like · 1
Tracey Gates I haven't been replied too either Emma
10 June at 19:22 · Like
Michelle Davies To be honest I use all my bins for the purpose they were given but reducing size or collection will not reduce how much rubbish I produce in a week so what will be achieved by any of the changes? The only thing I know is that other people already fly tip out side my house and this will be made worse if they have smaller bins it will result in even more being dumped!
10 June at 19:23 · Like
Torfaen @darran powell Hi Darran, unfortunately, the world has changed around us and we can no longer do that. We have targets to meet and heavy fines if we don't meet them so we have to provide a service to enable residents to recycle more.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:23 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh Could you please summarise for us what these targets are and how they are calculated?
10 June at 19:24 · Like
Barry Jones Emma, I'm keeping a record of the quantity of questions asked compared to answers, I'll publish later, suffice to say it shows a clear and undeniable record that the Q&A has failed. I'm sure the two council employees have tried their best to defend a poorly thought out process and have clear instructions to ignore certain questions.
10 June at 19:24 · Like · 4
Juliette Coates Why isn't more beong done to sort out recycling facilities for flats? Surely that should be the next step, rather than what is currently being 'consulted' on. Why do Torfaen seem hell bent on maintaining the current system when the councils with the best recycling rates do things differently? Why are we not looking at best practice?
10 June at 19:25 · Like
Torfaen Gemma Croome-davies Gemma, happy to. PM us your details and a waste awareness officer will visit. We have conducted compositional analysis of what we collect in black bins so we have a fair idea of what is being put out. We also see what is beng put out when we do participation monitoring and we do that over a number of weeks.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:25 · Like
Gemma Croome-davies I'm trying very hard not to be a 'hater' but I fail to see why any expenditure is necessary when the current system could be improved at very little cost!
10 June at 19:25 · Like
Jamie Craufurd Torfaen, how do we respond to the consultation?
10 June at 19:25 · Like
Sinead Jones I think it is ridiculous and as a family of four we already struggle with a fortnightly black bin collection and we recycle everything we can! I am extremely disappointed with the lack of feasible options provided!
10 June at 19:25 · Like · 2
James Coleman Hi Torfaen, I was surprised you did not comment on my earlier comment, I know suggesting not recycling is controversial. I'm not against recycling I think its very important but would the incinerator option in your opinion be viable.
10 June at 19:25 · Like
Kathryn Tovey This is becoming a fascist country we are living in you all save money we are ripped off , council and Robin Hood come to mind
10 June at 19:30 · Edited · Like · 3
Martyn Stinton I more concered that this is just a cost cutting measure rather than a recycling issue i often see waste trucks at transfer station tipping household (black bin rubbish) food and green bin rubbish into the same skips to be taken off for land fill shouldent the council look at it own failings before a scheme that will overflow bins.
10 June at 19:26 · Like · 4
Kelly Beaumont What allowances are there at present for larger families torfaen?
10 June at 19:26 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh Families of 6 or more can have 2 bins Kelly
10 June at 19:27 · Like
Gemma Croome-davies So if I invite u over to take a look at my bin, and can prove that I recycle everything possible under your existing rules, do I get to keep my large bin? I will even throw in a cup of tea!
10 June at 19:27 · Like · 2
Emma Mayers But you are not providing the service r u, ure taken it away. I always recycle every item that I can but my blk bin is always full before a fortnight so how is taken away a collection of the blk bin going to make me recycle more
10 June at 19:28 · Like
Torfaen Gemma Thomas We can bid for funding for the skinny bins, if that is what members choose. Even if we are unsuccessful in that, the bins will pay for themselves over time. We can recycle the old 240L bins - it's a good quality plastic and the bin makers themselves will take them back to make new bins.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:28 · Like
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Hmmmm thought this was a questions and answers session??? I see alot of questions but the answers are very thin on the ground Torfaen lets face it you jave made up your mind and dont really give a monkeys what people think this was set up to try and make you look good well can i just add you have FAILED as you have proved what we have all been saying YOU DONT CARE!!!!! xxx
10 June at 19:28 · Like · 1
Alan Roper Another pointless exercise. The vast majority of the posts on here clearly show that neither option is welcome, Torfaenare only answering a select few of the questions and are avoiding the difficult question. It's good to see that my £1600 a year Poll Tax is being so well spent. I don't mind paying for services but £1500 a year to get my bins emptied monthly is just not good enough. Why should i subsidise Leisure Centres, Libraries, Council Leaders 6 figure salaries, Golden Handshakes and ridiculous pension pots through my poll tax?
10 June at 19:29 · Like · 4
Torfaen @marc hurford You can have as many recycling containers as you need and we offer a comprehensive service at the kerbside which we want residents to make more use of.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:30 · Like
Robert Bynt Hiya Torfaen would appreciate it if you could reply to my question before you go offline.....
10 June at 19:30 · Like
Kevin Lowry I have read through the questions and the very little replies. It seems to me and is very very obvious looking through here that the council are ignoring the main issues ie no residents agree the 3 options are viable and are infact NOT listening!!!! Well fellow residents I propose we dont listen when they demand their money? Got to love councils and MPs that say they listen when clearly they dont! It maybe cheaper for the council to send us all the rose tinted glasses thay they seem to wear.
10 June at 19:31 · Like · 1
Emma Mayers What members do they even live in torfaen. You are saying you have no money already so where is it going to come from?
10 June at 19:31 · Like
Rhian Porter Can it be looked at for us to have one watertight bin for all dry mixed waste recycling (card/plastic/glass etc) instead of having seperate not very watertight or durable containers. I currently have 5 rubbish/recycling containers cluttering up my garden and pavement and the thought of having another nappy bin to add to the equation when these changes come into force is ridiculous. I will need the nappy container because if you make the bins smaller I will really struggle to fit it all in. All these bins are an eyesore!!!
10 June at 19:31 · Like · 2
Kelly Beaumont Surely if all the flats in Torfaen were given a green bin etc that would make a massive difference to the percentage of recycling so you would not have to resort to these totally unrealistic measures. I have a family of 5 and recycle everything I can, however my black bin is still full after 2 weeks.
Also what are people ment to do with there excess waste? I know take it to new inn refuse site, however surely that defeats the object so then it just means we are then doing a job ourselves that we pay Torfaen to do!
10 June at 19:31 · Like
Nicola Smith If like to know why there are pre-determined options and why residents haven't been asked to make suggestions.
I'd also like to know what your estimate is for how much the nappy recycling will help your target.
I'd also like to know how much was spent pre and post the fortnightly collection change on clearing of fly tipping.
I'd also like to know what your plans are for assisting commercial properties. Schools and flats to recycle.
Thank you
10 June at 19:31 · Like · 1
Natalie Phillips I would say that we should have a consultation and ask the people of Torfaen what they want and not have already made a decision with only three possible outcomes. I recycle everything I can, but there are failings in the collections which need addressing first. Our bins are often missed which would leave us in a mess and also half the recycling is left on the pavement. I would like to know how much it would cost to replace all the larger bins and also the anticipated costs for the clean up of an increase in fly tipping and vermin control?
10 June at 19:32 · Like · 1
Hayley Greenman We can have as many containers as we wont but at a cost
10 June at 19:32 · Like
Kelly Beaumont Also no recycling was collected on Blaendare road today!
10 June at 19:32 · Like
Robert Bynt I agree with Kelly Beaumont....Torfaen if you sorted a way for the flats in the borough to carry out recycling then surely that would go a long way to reaching the required targets.....Then be no reason to alter the system.....
10 June at 19:33 · Like · 3
Tom Davies Hi torfaen. Which option have YOU chosen and will go ahead with this plan regardless of the views of the people within the district?
10 June at 19:33 · Like · 1
Torfaen hi Kathryn Tovey the council had a 4% cut in its Welsh Government funding which with other pressures resulted in a shortfall of £11.2million for this year - this followed savings of £33million over the previous 5 years. From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets. All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
Commented on by Neil Jones · 10 June at 19:33 · Like
Michelle Vine Well after the service I witnessed at my mother's home in Blaenavon today, the recycling team need replacing!!! No thought for residents, their homes, streets or vehicles!!!!!! To get their recycling lorry up the street where my mother lives they moved everyone's green and grey bins to the other side of the road and pushed everyone's car wing mirrors in!?!? I challenged them and they said they have difficulty getting around the streets when people are parked in narrow terraces, I'm sure this is no revelation??????!!!!!!! The terraced streets of valley towns were not built for lorries?!? They then left the street leaving recycling bins 'thrown' back on the pavement (surely when they need replacing there are cost implications), did not return the bins from where they had moved them and left every car mirror turned in!!!! When challenged he politely agreed to move my mothers bins back in front if her house when I pointed out she is elderly and should have to do it after they leave. However he only moved her bind back and left everyone else's on the wrong side if the street!!!!!!
10 June at 19:34 · Like · 2
Craig 'pugy' Pugh How is that percentage calculated please?
10 June at 19:34 · Like · 1
Mike Hilton How come you could not be bothered to answer my questions its annoying to take the time to write a letter to you and you.wont answer
10 June at 19:35 · Like · 3
Emma Mayers At the end of the day tcbc has already made there mind up so what is the point. The point is that when they bring it in & waste a load of the tax payers money they can say that they asked the public but ignore the fact that they just didnt listen to us the people that actually pay for the service I 4 1 think if they gonna do monthly collections then we might as well give up recycling & just dump it all on the side of the road cause that is wot is gonna end up happening n e way.
10 June at 19:36 · Like
Nicola Smith On a separate note, i understand that you're trying to save money, however, i'd like to know what exactly our increase to council tax cost has paid for. We know there's been no pay increase, and there has been a reduction in service offered so salaries etc should have decreased. Are you able to tell me what exactly that money is being used for please?
10 June at 19:36 · Like
Craig 'pugy' Pugh 52% 58% 70% means sod all without knowing 58% of what? Volume? Weight? Collections? What?
10 June at 19:36 · Like · 1
Emma Mayers They havnt answered any of mine either Mike Hilton x
10 June at 19:37 · Like
Emma Mayers They havnt answered any of mine either Mike Hilton x
10 June at 19:37 · Like
Torfaen @tom davies Tom, reducing the black bin capacity has increased recycling when this has been introduced elsewhere, such as Monmouthshire and Denbighshire who are the top recycling authorities in Wales and this isn't about the ratio, this is because residents make more use of the facilities available to them to recycle rather than put everything in the black bin.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:37 · Like
Torfaen Hi @Bethan O'Callaghan. If you recycling has been missed let us know and we will investigate. An up-to-date list of what can be recycled at the kerbside is available on our website
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 19:38 · Like ·Remove Preview
Phil Adams The cardboard bag is rubbish in windy weather as the bin men out it down and it blows away. What can be done about this? I tried to leave a brick in my bag and the bib men took it! The govt. Are expecting an awful lot from residents to sort and clean all these items so better instructions as to what can recycled would be good and may naturally lower the general waste. Dont like the idea of less frequent collections.
10 June at 19:38 · Like · 3
Kate 'Hewitt' Noyes Sorry Torfaen I think you must have missed mine as well?
10 June at 19:38 · Like
Mike Hilton Well we are paying for fortnightly collections so are they going to give us some money back
10 June at 19:39 · Like · 1
Torfaen Craig 'pugy' Pugh We have to be careful with the size of the black box as larger boxes make it heavier to lift not only for residents but also our crews. The current box size we use has been assessed for this and is widely used.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:39 · Like
Joanne Le Cornu Black bags are no good around here, animals rip them apart, I know because they had this in Lincs where I was from and then switched it to black bins, not only would it be a hygiene issue but safety one, for disabled, it is bad enough now on the paths with broken glass etc, I have seen a neighbour , go around after the refuse people have left, and cleaned up after them and not all disabled people can get to the refuse centre, smaller bins would be no good for us, for personal reasons. Also access to vehicles both personal and ambulance would be a big problems.
10 June at 19:39 · Like · 1
Emma Mayers Also I have been told on numerous occasions that once all the rubbish is taken to Viridor in New Inn blk box & blk bin it is all just thrown in together n e way. No proof of this thou
10 June at 19:39 · Like
Torfaen A number of people have asked for clarification on what can now be recycled at the kerbside. You can see which items we collect in which containers on our website
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 19:39 · Like ·Remove Preview
Mike Selwood Do we not think a public face to face meeting would be far easier than this?
10 June at 19:39 · Like
Gemma Croome-davies Torfaen, u need to have a grown up debate about why people are not recycling currently! For any increase in recycling rates u need to introduce schemes that are credible, easy to use and well supported, this not rocket science
10 June at 19:39 · Like · 1
Ceri James Just moved in to the New redrow estate in new inn and took numerous phone calls and complaints to get the bins/recycling collected!! Took over 4 weeks!!
I do not think that spending yet more money on black bins or providing bin bags is a good use of public money when we already have perfectly usable black bins. Instead, put the money towards more adequate recycling boxes. Boxes that are water tight and contain recycling instead of it getting blown down the streets!!
Monthly collections are not ideal but if waste needs to be reduced id rather not waste more moneys on bins or bags!!
10 June at 19:40 · Like · 5
Lynda Clarkson You'd better start accepting all recyclable materials then. Many plastics that are recyclable aren't currently taken from the black boxes and people don't like the box system, it causes extra litter and who really wants to have more of them to enable more to be recycled. I'm a household of one and mine is full every week. The cardboard bags aren't waterproof. What happens to missed collections? Also sort out flats and businesses to make sure everyone is doing their bit. You have the answers in detail when it suits the purpose. Is it ok that many sensible questions have been ignored?
10 June at 19:40 · Like · 2
Torfaen Matt Watkins If you believe you have a medical need, please PM us and we can discuss this with you personally. In general, it would be the collection of incontinence pads and other medical by products from certain conditions.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:40 · Like · 1
Rachel Williams Are you saying torfaen that if the smaller bin option is approved you will remove and take away the bigger bins to be melted and made into smaller bins? Didn't residents have to pay for these bins if there were reported stolen or missing? Doesn't that make them property of the resident that had to pay for it?
10 June at 19:40 · Like · 8
Mike Hilton I for one if i have to take any left over rubbish to the tip then i will take it all but i will demand a reduction in my council tax cause im not paying for a service im not getting
10 June at 19:41 · Like · 4
Nicola Smith These Q&A sessions always encourage a lot of discussion. In future, would you please consider running a few 1/2 hour slots to ask questions. Maybe some through the morning, the afternoon and the evening. That way, you're more likely to be able to answer the questions and it will be more useful to people.
Could you also let me know how you're getting this consultation to people who aren't online?
10 June at 19:41 · Like
Lynda Clarkson No Rachel, the charge is for delivery only. sorry to answer for you TCBC but thought it would leave you more time to answer other questions.
10 June at 19:42 · Like
Rhian Porter I think improvements to the provison of the recycling service needs to be improved before reducing our bin collections. Better more durable containers ideally just one instead of several fir dry waste. Also I think you shoukd provide us with liners for the food caddys as I find this an extra expense to my weekly shop! Will nappy bins be collected weekly and what size are they?
10 June at 19:42 · Like · 2
Jason 'Nipper' Williams Instead of screwing every last penny from pennyless people employ a more efficent work force. Your shortfall isnt our fault/responcability we already pay for the service
10 June at 19:43 · Like · 2
Simon Jenkins I thought shoes were accepted - then looking at the list above they are - sadly the shoes are always left in my bin - I end up throwing them in the normal bin, they are no good soaking wet
10 June at 19:43 · Like · 1
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
10 June at 19:43 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Chris Chaney Guys... to be fair to Torfaen and wales... recycling isnt the most desirable option... have we thought about not creating it in the first place?? Recycling is a necessity. .. we are all afraid of change, but if you want facts... we have 2 years landfill left in wales. We need to be as sustainable as possible.#networkwaste
10 June at 19:44 · Like
Mike Kenworthy I live on a farm in Croesyceiliog and have to bring up my 4 recycling boxes every week. You don't collect food waste any more since you introduced caddies. We previously put it in green bin but this no longer collected for part of the year. When we asked what to do we were informed to put it in general black bin waste. You don't provide or collect cardboard either. We historically have 3 bins and these are generally full each fortnight. None of your options suit us so can we dispose of our own waste at recycling centre and forgo the bin collection charge.
10 June at 19:44 · Like
Torfaen Sue Price Hi Sue, we will look into this or at least look to change the hours of them so they are out of normal office hours. thanks
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:44 · Like · 1
Robert Bynt Torfaen I know that there is a lot of questions for you to reply to but will they all be answered in dues course.....
10 June at 19:44 · Like
Shirley Day I watch the bin men throw the black bins around, not even bothering to put them back outside the homes they collect them from. When they get broken hopefully they will be replaced ..... another cost to Torfaen. Why should we go and hunt for our bins? We pay a large amount of council tax for this service. Not happy with the choices we are being given, if they are a choice or has the decisions already been decided?
10 June at 19:45 · Like
Maria Hopkins With the nappy collection will the nappies still go to landfill or will they be recycled. I understand there was an issue with RCT collection after the recycling plant they used closed.
10 June at 19:45 · Like
Venessa Passaro Let's face it, it doesn't matter what the residents of torfaen think should happen for the best results, the council will do what they want to,as they always have, and up the council tax to cover it.
10 June at 19:45 · Like · 4
Mike Hilton Well this is a complete waste of time not only do they not answer your questions but their mind is already made up you can work that out by the answers they do give what a waste of time useless
10 June at 19:47 · Like · 2
Torfaen Barry Jones We encourage everyone to respond to the consultation and ensure their voices are heard before members make their decision on which option is progressed. Unfortunately, doing nothing is not an option for us and this is being faced by many other councils who have either already rolled out reduced black bin capacity or are doing so. All councils in Wales will be pursuing this.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:48 · Like
Lynda Clarkson To truly reduce refuse WG need to legislate to reduce unnecessary packaging, businesses must be targeted to make them recycle and a functional service provided to facilitate this and all residents should have recycling facilities. All recyclable plastics should be collected not just what the specialist companies want to buy.
10 June at 19:48 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, I've not suggested doing nothing, can you point out where you believe that I did? Your misrepresenting me.
10 June at 19:49 · Like
Torfaen @debi alexander black bags was just one option - if you do not think that bags will work for the reasons you state, then please feed this back in to the consultation. thanks
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:49 · Like
Marie Ellis-jones Torfaen, when you refer to the Monmouthshire scheme are you suggesting that Torfaen adopts their system of no black bins and residents sorting their rubbish into coloured bags? I believe this is the system the currently use?
10 June at 19:49 · Like
Laura Llewellyn If we have to pick an option I would have to say fortnightly small bin collections, BUT this is NOT feasible without the nappy collection service you promise.
10 June at 19:49 · Like
Torfaen Hi Venessa Passaro all your comments, along with those generated through our online consultation (which can be accessed here ) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month. This will then be presented to scrutiny at the end of July, which is open to the public to observe and taken to full council later in the year, and it will be councillors who decide which option to take forward.
Commented on by Neil Jones · 10 June at 19:49 · Like ·Remove Preview
Ian Hodgkinson Gosh.... The council didn't pick up the recycling boxes today as planned... What happens when they forget to pick up the tiny bin once month due to weather etc and we then have two months waste ? Please don't say this doesn't happen! It's a regular occurrence and surely will just lead to fly tipping which the council will have to deal with anyway at a greater cost... Perhaps make the crews smaller and reduce collection to 10 days..... Remaining crews could deal with fly tipping oh and the rats
10 June at 19:50 · Like · 1
Mike Hilton They havent even commented on the comments ive left¡!!!!!!
10 June at 19:50 · Like
Torfaen Rachel Williams monthly collections are just one option. Pet waste is currently colleced fortnightly and that won't change under the other two options being proposed.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:50 · Like
Simon Jenkins I would consider the green garden waste bin as a low priority - I have big garden / hedge etc that needs alot of work and trimming/cutting back - I prob. use mine once a month (if that, maybe more when leaves fall) - maybe a cut back of green bin empty should come first, and leave the black bin as it is until the results of our 'extended recycling' has taken place .... If we are doing better than England in recycling etc , I wonder at the Labour run WGs motive really is? 5p on a bag for recycling already.. BTW I did have a compost bin and the room to store one which helps
10 June at 19:51 · Edited · Like · 2
Jamie Craufurd I think we can consider the consultation successful. As a borough we have determined that none of the three options are effective or favourable. A fourth option of recycling waste from flats, businesses and schools has been put forward that will dramatically increase the rate of recycling and also receive no objection from residents.
10 June at 19:51 · Like · 11
Barry Jones I'd absolutely agree, all it needs now is for the council to take the views of it's residents who's needs they are in place to meet and come up with a new proposal..........
10 June at 19:53 · Like · 1
Torfaen Rachel Williams Sorry, to answer the second part of your question, we do recycle items taken to the household waste recycling centre. Anything that cannot be recycled is disposed of and we currently only landfill a small amount of that which we cannot disposed of by any other means.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:53 · Like
Torfaen All, thank you for your comments and questions so far. We are currently reading through and responding to more than 300 posts. We will do our best to respond to as many as possible by the end of the session.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 10 June at 19:53 · Like
Mike Hilton When you say pet waste it was stated that rabbit sawdust could go in the green bin but what about ferret sawdust can that go in the green bin aswell
10 June at 19:54 · Like
Craig Jenkins Have you got the smaller collection vans yet? As we have no food caddy or cardboard recycling bag and have been told just to use our black bin. We keep getting told we will have them soon but still waiting.
10 June at 19:54 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, is this Q&A session about the proposal or to give recycling advise? You've answered hardly any questions on the proposal and misrepresented some of those questions. But you've answered all the easy questions about current recycling or where to get a new bin.
10 June at 19:55 · Like · 4
Juliette Coates Here's a suggestion, Torfaen that I bet will be ignored. I'd vote for the smaller bin IF I can keep the large black bin and put my recycling and cardboard in it. I'll even disinfect it first. This will prevent the two games of 'hunt the blue bag' and 'how damaged is my black box going to be this time', that I seem to play each time I put them out.
10 June at 19:55 · Like · 12
Leanne Cornelius There isn't enough room in the comment box on the questionnaire. Rather annoying.
10 June at 19:55 · Like · 3
Simon Jenkins If you currently only landfill a small amount - see above - why the cut backs ?
10 June at 19:55 · Like · 3
Becky Tovey How come my council tax goes up again this year and yet again we are expected to do more... emptying a black bin once a month is ridiculous, bags are not going to work animals will rip them open n the bin men already don't pick up what's left or what they drop! And let's be serious we need more than a smaller bin emptied fortnight??
10 June at 19:56 · Like · 1
Tom Aveyard Giving me a smaller wheelie bin won't increase the amount of recyclable items I have, so targeting the black bin is irrelevant. Maybe you could look at recycling a wider range of items and give us a bigger recycling bin to put them in, ideally one that doesn't blow half way down the road every time there's a light breeze! Last point I'd make is as more and more people will have to spend their time going to the tip, (or the canal) particularly those with children, maybe there should be a relief in council tax to compensate?
10 June at 19:56 · Like · 4
Alison Bellhouse I would be very grateful if throughout the forthcoming World Cup , you could hold this or similar discussions on line each week, as I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the many farcical comments that have been left by many people, who obviously can not see the bigger picture and I doubt have even read the report. Well done Torfean keep up the good work
10 June at 19:56 · Like · 1
Torfaen hi Hayley Greenman there is no charge for any recycling recepticle (green bin, black box, brown food caddy, blue bag for cardboard or the nets) - the only charge is for replacement black wheelie bins
Commented on by Neil Jones · 10 June at 19:56 · Like
Torfaen @andrew harrison We offer a recycling service to schools in Torfaen but they don't have to use us, they can choose to use other providers. We're constantly reviewing what services we can offer.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:56 · Like
Rachel Williams You skirted around the answer on that question torfaen! I have enough waste from the pets that we currently keep to nearly fill my black bin during the fortnightly collection so a smaller bin isn't an option for me. Having pet waste in bags on the ground will leave it open to zoonotic disease such as leptospirosis for a start so doesn't this pose a health risk?!
So you are telling me when I throw waste in the general waste section of the tip, someone then sorts through it to see if there is any recycling? Sorry but I find that hard to believe!
10 June at 19:57 · Like · 4
Simon Jenkins Shouldnt schools be made to recycle ? sure that is a big recycle figure just there I am sure its in the interest of all in the schools anfdthe future voters?
10 June at 19:57 · Edited · Like · 5
Gemma Croome-davies Rachel Williams Sorry, to answer the second part of your question, we do recycle items taken to the household waste recycling centre. Anything that cannot be recycled is disposed of and we currently only landfill a small amount of that which we cannot disposed of by any other means....you mean you already recycle what we put into the black bins?
10 June at 19:57 · Like
Martyn Stinton Is it possible to train the recycling people to understand numbers. so they can put the bins back where they found them neighbours lives at number 42 found his box outside 75 wrong side of road and about 300 yards away along with 3 others from houses near his
10 June at 19:58 · Edited · Like · 1
Torfaen Tom Davies We're replying to them as we go, and trying to reply to those who haven't yet had a response on an original enquiry. If it's a duplicate of something that has already been said, we'll respond to these later. thanks
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 19:59 · Like
Richard Caddick You class a 5 person family the same as a 2 person in regards to waste but you class them different in regards to bedroom tax. No logic.
10 June at 19:59 · Like · 6
Wendy Mitchell i certainly dont want to choose the monthly option as there is enough trouble with flies and maggots now. but providing everyone with a smaller new black bin is very costly - is there not another option you could look into - such as providing households with compostable food bags to go into these bins, and bigger recycling boxes to promote more recycling. i think people need an incentive, not to be penalised which is what is being proposed
10 June at 19:59 · Like · 1
Lee Tucker Easiest answer to all this is- everything that doesn't fit in the bins or that isn't collected by yourselves will be placed outside the entrance to TCBC HQ!!
10 June at 20:00 · Like · 1
Marie Ellis-jones What is the cost of replacing everyone's big bin for a small one?
10 June at 20:02 · Like · 1
Lynda Clarkson The plant that TCBC use in Avonmouth can deal with mixed waste and separate out recyclables themselves but WG like curb side recycling so that's what TCBC do.
10 June at 20:02 · Like
Amie Reardon Again terrible way forward. I am a family of four who recycle. My bin however is always full and ready to be emptied on collection day.
This is going to lead to people fly tipping
10 June at 20:02 · Like
Vicky Savage We had to buy ours for £55 as we bought a new build , does your comment mean that we are entitled to a refund ?
10 June at 20:03 · Like
Ian Hodgkinson Will they recycle all the big bins or place in landfill..... Remember Xmas when the council stated mixed collections to catch up and then sent it all to landfill..... As if they care!!!!!
10 June at 20:03 · Like · 1
Marie Ellis-jones Are we going to be given bigger/more recycling black boxes? We will need these if we want to recycle more and reduce what we put in the black bin, what is the projected cost for this please?
10 June at 20:03 · Like · 2
Lynda Clarkson Also the companies that buy the recyclables like 'clean waste' only. Why we can't recycle all plastics that are marked as such is another question!
10 June at 20:04 · Like
Torfaen Thanks everyone for posting your questions. We've not been able to get through them all but will reply during the course of this week. We've another one of these sessions on Thursday and again toward the end of the consultation period. If you can, please come along to one of the roadshow events where staff can answer your specific questions. Please respond to the consultation - Your comments, along with those generated through our online consultation (which can be accessed here) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month. Speak to you again soon. Goodnight from Dana and Cynon.
Commented on by Gareth Phillips · 10 June at 20:05 · Edited ·Like · 2 · Remove Preview
Jason 'Nipper' Williams I for one will rest easy in my bed safe in the nollage when theres a problem i can rely on torf to totally ignore me and answer the questions most of us know the answer to and whole heartedly avoid anything they dnt like the sound of . . . And will most likely ignore everybodys comments and do what they want with our money anyway
10 June at 20:05 · Like · 3
Craig 'pugy' Pugh They answered that for me earlier Marie. They aren't going to give bigger ones but we can have as many as we want
10 June at 20:05 · Like
Lynda Clarkson I'm saddened to see some patronising remarks about residents concerns. We all have a right to ask questions do we not?
10 June at 20:05 · Like · 1
Joanne Le Cornu We have dogs & have medical problems, which require stuff to go in black bin having dogs is like having young kids with nappies,some waste at the backend is like people, what are the dogs supposed to do hold it for 3 weeks, so none of these options suit us I am afraid, how would they like meaning Torfean it if the black backs were ripped over their paths & garden
10 June at 20:06 · Like
Rhys Hodge Torfaen, you should not consider the 1 month only collection. Leaving waste standing in a wheelie bin for 1 month will spread the risk of spreading disease. It should be more often. However the cost of replacing the bin with new smaller ones, what is this? Also would the old bins be recycled? With more waste aiming to be recycled how does this affect cash for council? Would you generate more money, or currently does it cost the council more to recycle? As this could lead to cost alteration in council tax? The trouble with this target in wales or uk for that matter we are not yet setup with the infrastructure to recycle as they are in Germany etc.
10 June at 20:07 · Like · 1
Delwyn Cowles Why is it that in Spain and maybe other European countries, waste is collected three times a week for which residents pay only a small amount per year for their local charges?
10 June at 20:07 · Like
Mad Welsh Mamz Hello - Would it be possible to swap around current usage, so we could use the green bin for cardboard and the blue bag for garden waste please? Plus could you look at cardboard going to a weekly collection please. I get absolutely loads from packaging and if it is raining this is often missed by the recycling team or gets wrecked.
Can you clarify if monthly collection means calendar, as that’s only 12 collections a years, whereas fortnightly gives 26 collections a year. Plus what extra allowance would be considered for Christmas and extreme weather conditions, when previous collections may have been missed x
10 June at 20:07 · Like · 2
Robert Bynt Well this forum has been a farce.....Any real difficult questions have not had a reply and I agree with a lot of people on here that what Torfaen wants to do they will do regardless of what the people in the borough would like.....Torfaen council will go for the option that they believe will suit them best not what is best for us people in the borough......This forum has been a joke in my opinion....
10 June at 20:08 · Edited · Like · 5
Nia Chappell More black boxes or alternative suitable bins pref with lids will be needed.
10 June at 20:09 · Like
Mad Welsh Mamz Plus, I would like a larger food waste container, to be an option, x
10 June at 20:10 · Like
Marie Ellis-jones Do you have any of the cost information or is there anywhere you can signpost me to so I can see the figures for the council's proposal? As a tax payer I feel it is in everyone's interest to ensure that all costs for this proposal have been thought out?
10 June at 20:12 · Like
Vicky Bartlett I have a family of four and recycling is very important to us. We compost, recycle everything we can and our recycling box and cardboard bag is often overflowing. Incidentally, we have an issue regularly in not having the cardboard collected to the point where I am actually fed up phoning the council line about it. Despite being very conscientious in our recycling efforts, two black bags a fortnight will not be sufficient. The problem is everything comes in packaging. This week in my shopping I had to throw away a number of plastic trays and film wrap and plastic bags that you cannot recycle. We do our very best, but we will not be able to limit our waste to one black bag a week. How larger families will be able to do it I don't know. I think you perhaps ought to focus on targeting the families and households that don't recycle. Also what will happen to all the big black bins? Do you intend to recycle them?
10 June at 20:15 · Like · 3
Margaret Tedstone Why don't you do like Caerphilly does, everyone has a big brown wheelin bin for recycling and a big green wheelin bin for general waste,which you can fit more in it and they get empty in a big bin lorry every fortnight also bin for garden waste , the bins would be instead of the blue bags and small bin , go and see how Caerphilly manage
10 June at 20:18 · Like · 1
Kathryn Tovey Torfaen I can appreciate you have targets to meet but with these you save money. The waste you get paid for per ton I imagine ,,we do as we are told and recycle and we just have to pay more every year, how is this fair? What incentive is there for us to carry on, recycling, street cleansing, drains, lighting, maintaining pathways perhaps, and many more yet these services are few and far between and we still pay more!!
10 June at 20:18 · Like · 3
Sue Kempton We need to keep the large black bins to be emptied fortnightly or better still weekly. We need bigger black boxes. We need the bags for cardboard to be collected weekly not fortnightly. We have 5 in our family and reducing the black bin collection is not acceptable. It is not a good idea to use plastic bags as they will be ripped open by animals and be all over the roads causing accidents. We need more collections not less especially for recycling. Torfaen need to be encouraging people to recycle and you are not promoting this by reducing collections!!
10 June at 20:19 · Like · 3
Mike Hilton Martyn Stinton you are lucky we just had letters wr have to put ours out on the road nearly 100yrds away then weve got to go and retrieve them from wherever they've thrown them so good luck if u can get them to sort the numbers out lol
10 June at 20:21 · Like · 1
Dee Puckett Can I please point out that you can only participate in the online official consultation if you select one of the three options. I do not agree to any of them. This is not an option and therefore I cannot participate or make my voice and opinion heard except via these online live consultations which to be fair seem more to be a justification of the options provided. In two hours I have not seen anything which has acknowledged residents whom have taken the time to participate being given any respect for not supporting the options provided. I understand the targets, I understand the issues as does everyone on here, but the facts of the unviable options remain I'm afraid. I cannot reduce the waste, I cannot increase the recycling we do, we will be penalised by a lower rated, unsafe, unhealthy service, when other viable options to increase recycling are ignored. I have no issues with Torfaen Cbc but I do believe in democracy, true engagement and consultation processes which help to develop solutions, not tokenistic tick box consultation.
10 June at 20:24 · Like · 10
Marie Ellis-jones Just a quick one I know you finished now but you can answer me tomorrow. I just tried to do the consultation questionnaire but there is no option for you to be able to say you do not prefer A, B or C, surely there should be 'none of these' as a possible response?
10 June at 20:29 · Like · 5
Martyn Stinton Mike Hilton i was hoping they would use some of the vast amounts of monies they waste into training. i dont mind recycling but i do mind having my bin hurled along the street. my bin only half emptied or missed totally. now if they miss mneand the rest of our streets bins we have to wait nearly TWO MONTHS for a collection. TCBC will not listen to any of what we have written this is a PR excercise so they can say we consulted they have already made up their mind as we can see by the options. there are only 2 people in my house will the council supply a lock and key to stop others puting non recyclables in my bin i doubt it. bout time we voted the ******* out and got new blood in there.
10 June at 20:35 · Like · 1
Wendy Hiiemae Has anyone actually stated if 70% recycling is actually possible??
Anyway, you can forget bin bags (the local cats and dogs will rip those open right away).
None of the other options really appeal but I suppose the smaller wheelie bin is better if extra help is given for nappie collection.
Nonetheless, people will still have waste and if it's not collected at the kerbside it will still find it's way into the landfill either by taking it to the tip yourself or fly tipping (and I think the latter is gonna be a big problem!)
10 June at 20:35 · Like
Sophia Lorna Aherne My view is prior to these extreme measures being taken which will cause rats fly tipping and ghettos
A big campaign be launched to educate people on the absolute necessity of recycling or these drastic measures will be enforced. L Aherne
10 June at 20:36 · Like
Andy Cooke Totally ridiculous ides once a month collections two weeks apart is bad enough the blue bags are waste of space because they hold hardly anything and wagons only collect when they feel like it it all very well coming up with these recycling ideas but when people come in after a hard days work last thing they want to be doing is cleaning cans and sorting which rubbish goes where what exactly are we paying council taxes for roads are diabolic along with pavements street lightingvturned off at night accidents waiting to happen and now u expect us to have a grubby bin outside house for a month at a time get a grip on reality please
10 June at 20:38 · Like
Jason 'Nipper' Williams It will come to a point were people will have to organise a mass fly tip in the civic center before they do the right thing, money really does make their world turn
10 June at 20:38 · Like · 2
Debbie Kendall Surely having a smaller black bin will only increase people taking ur bin so they have two to cope with their rubbish. Having bags will only increase the chances of the bags being ripped open by animals, having it's rubbish strewn across the street, also how can this really be monitored? I'm sure the bin men will not count how many bags are in the street. My bins are not placed outside our house due to a embankment outside they have to be taken to the end of our block for collection, this wi work for some but not all. While it's being re-decided perhaps have a look at the brown food waste bin, people don't use these due to the disgusting nature it leaves in the bin, I know bags can be bought, but not everyone can afford them perhaps try to provide bags for these bins I'm sure that will help with you targets
10 June at 20:41 · Edited · Like
David Watkins I have a funny feeling option 4 is going to be the most popular. fly tip.
10 June at 20:41 · Like
Michael Jones I would rather go for the smaller black bin option as plastic bin bags can rip easily and deposit contents all over the place. There are plenty of people in my street who do not recycle.
10 June at 20:47 · Like · 1
Malcolm Jarrett If there is no option but to change then anything other than black bags. They created a huge amount of litter on the streets before because they were broken open by a variety of animals and this will obviously happen again. We get enough of a problem now with items from the black recycle boxes being blow about in high winds so adding to this by going back to bin bags is a definite no for me!
10 June at 20:47 · Like · 1
Matthew Carrington Personally I feel Torfaen need to adopt Caerphilly Councils recycling ethos. Caerphilly have a large brown recycling bin, that also allows you to put cardboard in. A normal sized refuge bin, plus a grass bag. There streets are clean and tidy, if you resort to bags like Rhondda CBC do there will rubbish in the streets and that will then involve more street cleaners and more expense.
10 June at 20:49 · Like · 2
Nathan Maloney I'd prefer to maintain fortnightly collections. Leaving waste hanging around for a month in residential areas will not be pleasent.
10 June at 20:50 · Like · 1
Jane Rowles Us the residents should have a vote on it it should not be left up to the council to decide.
10 June at 20:51 · Like · 2
Barry Jones The outcome of this Q&A session is clear, the vast majority if people commenting are completely opposed to the proposal, and do not feel that the consultation process is fit for purpose. So what will the reaction from TCBC be to this clear demand for it to change it's approach? Everyone commenting on this session deserves to understand what the response is on this. The residents demand that the council listens to the practical suggestions put forward here, and does not proceed before properly consulting with the residents with an open rather than closed agenda.
10 June at 21:00 · Like · 3
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
I'm hoping to organise a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
10 June at 21:00 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Robert Jeffries Is it a coincidence that they are also announced increased fines for fly-tipping - I think not. We the householders are at the mercy of the big stores, for the most part everything we buy is over packaged and there is nothing we can do about it. Rather than punish those who pay your wages try punishing the stores for excess packaging - but that would mean you having to actually do something rather than simply "punish" us. If Torfaen was run as a business rather than a "boys club" there would be no problem. Go to monthly / bin bags and start recruiting more road cleaners to pick up the mess and more H&S solicitors to defend the cases of public health issues.
10 June at 21:01 · Like · 2
Alison 'Selway' Coombs I agree with Matthew Carrington. Having lived in Blackwood for many years, I found their 'rubbish and recycling' collection superb! Never any mess and my actually rubbish bin was never full due to being able to recycle almost everything. It was a shock moving to Torfaen, where at they would not even take a yogurt pot in the recycling.
10 June at 21:01 · Like · 1
Robert Jeffries Perhaps if Torfaen had more recycling bins at more locations, and actually emptied them, then that would help people re-cycle. Torfaen is simply lazy and would rather spend money on useless new schemes rather than do something useful - anyone tried using the supposed civic site at New Inn recently - getting more and more difficult to use - unless you pay.
10 June at 21:07 · Like · 2
Chris Preston So will we get a reduction in our council tax for a reduction in services
10 June at 21:17 · Like · 3
Barry Jones Please sign the petition to give yourself a voice on refuse collection, this is not a vote to do nothing, it is a message to TCBC that they have not done a good enough job of investigating the practical alternatives:
10 June at 21:18 · Like · 2
Barry Jones The petition is here:
10 June at 21:19 · Like · Remove Preview
Karen Galloway My black dustbin goes out less than full so there is no need to give me a smaller black bin. I used to have the problem of other people using it to put their recycling and rubbish in
10 June at 21:23 · Like · 1
Keith David Francis Another move to encourage more fly tipping, I'm sick of the state of our streets, hedgerows, footpaths ETC also the trail of mess that is left behind the recycling collectors. Not a good idea ! You need to make improvements not make matters worse.
10 June at 21:23 · Like · 4
Maddy Mccarthy You are saying our comments will be considered on this matter, but it seems to me that you have already decided on one of YOUR 3 options, and most are commenting that they would rather stay with the system already In place. Will this be considered at all or has the decision to change already been decided ? Will we be getting a reduction in out council tax for lack of services provided ?
10 June at 21:23 · Like · 1
Stephen Williams Dont get me started on this!!! My black bin is overflowing now on a fornightly pick up.. i recycle and use my brown bin every week, and you are saying about going to monthly collections!!! Point 1 the streets will be covered because people will just dump it anywhere and also there will be a huge amount of rats about the place... tcbc pull your fingers out, stop trying to cut costs as the people of torfaen pay enough now... get rid of some of the councilors to cut costs as there is way to many of them for a borough the size of torfaen...
10 June at 21:23 · Like · 7
Karen Galloway My black box is well used by myself and others. My blue cardboard bag has disappeared again. Not sure how many times you can ask for replacements without being charged. I will be needing a black recycling box replacement soon as it is splitting.
10 June at 21:28 · Like
Amanda Compere I don't see that these proposals will Help matters at all! why not target those properties that don't recycle at all? my recycle bin is always full as well as my food recycle box ,we also recycle the garden waste in the green bin. So we do try recycle what we can. Why not introduce recycle bins in places like "the Tower Block"? There are 80 flats there and no recycling facilities !
10 June at 21:28 · Edited · Like · 4
Jude Krukowicz I don't see why the service currently in place cannot continue. Fortnightly collection is not really acceptable in the summer due to flies etc. it is not as if they will be reducing out council tax bill if they go monthly in any case
10 June at 21:28 · Like · 2
Karen Galloway I used to recycle when I could, before the introduction of the black box recycling. That got increasingly difficult when recycling skips were taken away. Good recycling point in Pontypool was in the car park which is now Tesco's.
10 June at 21:32 · Like
Yoan Jones Why not recycle all the waste via a sorting plant? you could maintain high levels of recycling, plus the materials salvaged could be used to pay for additional services in the region. Levels in excess of 70% is maintained by many recycling plants in Europe.
10 June at 21:38 · Like · 4
Yoan Jones Read this:-
10 June at 21:44 · Like · 3 · Remove Preview
Karen Galloway I was told that in Cardiff, you do not need to sort recyclables out yourself, a centre sorts it all out. I have seen that Monmouthshire uses a variety of coloured bags for different recycling types. Two ends of the spectrum there. Not sure how practical/convenient that is for the people of Monmouthshire.
10 June at 21:44 · Like · 1
Sharon Griffiths ಌ Ok, so monthly black bin collections / smaller black bins will almost definitely mean that I have extra refuse to keep hold of because it will not be collected regularly enough / won't fit in the smaller bins. What can we do with all the extra refuse please as I would be really worried about rats / other vermin that the inevitable amount of refuse that I will have to store in my garden or outside on the road would cause?? (And yes, I do recyle everything that I can)...
10 June at 21:47 · Like · 2
Dan D Donnelly I think it's highly racist of you to use the term "black" bins...no black sheep, no black bins!
10 June at 21:49 · Like
Yoan Jones Black boards!
10 June at 21:52 · Like
Hazel Walding Jardine Could never manage with monthly collections maggots flies and rats !!!! Summer is a nightmare. Watching the black box collections Victoria and Malpas street is dreadful empty boxes rubbish falls out and the collection men leave it on floor and throw boxes it is no wonder they break. Why can refuse abroad be emptied into large bins in an area so no individual bins needed and empties each night, there streets are spotless. Lesson to be learned.
10 June at 21:52 · Like · 1
Sharon Griffiths ಌ Will it also mean that I will have to fill my car with all the extra refuse and make weekly trips to the local tip or will I be restricted from doing that too??
10 June at 21:54 · Like · 1
Wilma Thomas The reason why the larger bins like cCaerphilly don't work is because the recyclable rates are lower for comingled waste than the separated model like Torfaen. Having said that I am strongly opposed to the change options. The smell is terrible in the summer with fortnightly collections and we need to consider the whole environmental impact. If I wash all my containers thoroughly I use extra water which has a cost to purify. There has to be a balance and challenge to Central govt assumptions and recycling targets. I do recycle all I can, to ridiculous extremes sometimes and resent being penalised in this way!
10 June at 21:54 · Like · 5
Trapper John Don't worry its shipped to Holland to be incinerated because Great Britain councils really haven't got a clue what to do with it or it gets exported abroad some where else costing even more money plus a bigger a foot print !!!! Just take a moment and ask them where it goes you would be very surprised xxx
10 June at 21:56 · Like · 3
Trudy Groskop I understand that you have targets to meet. I recycle as much as possible but if I am to improve/increase what I do, I agree with previous comments that recycling collections need to improve. Why is card only collected once a fortnight, for example? And also, could schools be provided with bins for recycling? Currently all rubbish - paper, card, cans - go in the same bin where I work.
10 June at 21:57 · Like · 3
Suzanne Hathway To increase recycling rates I would suggest that ALL recycling from our black boxes is taken on the lorries and not left scattered on the roads!
10 June at 21:59 · Like · 4
Dawn Parsons As now a resident of Cardiff our recyclable products are placed in green sacks and yes mixed items providing it's been cleaned eg cans, bottles, yogurt pots etc, these are collected weekly and we can also put out as many bags as we like, having relatives in Cwmbran where you have a black box is not really encouraging as I believe you don't except everything that is recyclable so obviously this increases general waste in black bags, also we also use a small bin for waste food, residents of cardiff get all the bags for all recycling for free, where as my relatives in Cwmbran need to buy their bags for food waste, our black bin of which is your large size is collected fortnightly and our garden waste bin same size as black bin is collected fortnightly. On alternative weeks,
10 June at 22:23 · Like
Karen Smith The different coloured bags works well in monmouthshire , with weekly pick ups , 2 weekly for household waste.
10 June at 22:25 · Like
Paul Villa I fail to see how reducing the size and frequency of bin collections helps meet environmental targets. If I have rubbish left over - even though I recycle EVERYTHING that I can - I will have to drive the rest to the transfer station. So every household using a car to take away rubbish is the best Torfaen can come up with?
10 June at 22:51 · Like
Kate 'Hewitt' Noyes I’ve has several people contact me re my post Torfaen CBC are not fully recycling (usually cardboard waste) in many of their own offices and schools, this needs to be addressed!!
10 June at 22:53 · Like · 2
Stephen Parsons Lol
10 June at 22:59 · Like
Kailey Pritchard-Parton The current recycling provisions are completely inadequate as is the standard and care of collection evidenced by the litter strewn in my street when I get home from work on collection day. Improve in this area before wasting money on new bins ... If the service improved I'm sure you would see an increase in recycling!!!!
10 June at 23:09 · Like · 3
Sue Humphreys I am opposed to the three option consultation on the basis of a lack of transparency on the contributions made by the different types of waste producers in Torfaen to the recycling targets. Currently it appears that businesses have the option to recycl...See More
10 June at 23:54 · Like · 5
Hannah Owens I live in the town centre and do not have the option to recycle food.. On this basis it wld be impossible to go to monthly collections.
11 June at 06:39 · Like · 1
Lee Williams Well there's not a lot of choice there really is there. Your options are a joke and all roughly equal exactly the same thing. Smaller bins will be roughly filled by. Two black bags which just so happens to be just under half the size of a large black b...See More
11 June at 08:05 · Like · 1
Marie Ellis-jones If you feel that your views are not bring listened to and our voice as residents of Torfaen are not being heard please follow this link to a petition to stop these proposals being considered without proper consultation with Torfaen residents, ...See More
11 June at 08:47 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Marie Ellis-jones *being
11 June at 08:48 · Like
Louise Morse Why should Torfaen be facing 'significant fines' from the Welsh Government? Because the Welsh Government is enacting a European Union Directive, initiated by an undemocratic cadre of commissioners who - as Tony Benn discovered - do not take 'white pap...See More
11 June at 09:23 · Like · 2
Torfaen @Michelle Davies. Hi Michelle. If rubbish is being illegally dumped outside your home please get in touch with the details and we will investigate.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 09:55 · Like
Torfaen @William Seabourne. Hi William. You can have as many recycling boxes as you need - please just drop us a DM with your details. The crews should be clearing up after themselves and we do undertake monitoring to ensure they do this. If you spot them dropping rubbish during a collection let us know and we will investigate.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 10:00 · Like
Torfaen @Ailsa Elizabeth Walters. Hi Ailsa. Around 50% of flats in Torfaen recycle and we are working on the rest.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 10:02 · Like
Torfaen @Jeff Parry. Hi Jeff. A list of what can be recycled is available here Can you DM us with any items you think should be recycled that currently aren't?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 10:11 · Like ·Remove Preview
Torfaen @Tasha Ann Summers. Hi Tasha. Please DM us your details and we can arrange this.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 10:13 · Like
Liz Miles I'd prefer fortnightly smaller bins, from the options listed here.
11 June at 10:19 · Like
Torfaen Thank you to everyone who left a comment or question last night. All comments from this page will be collated and included as part of the consultation process.
Once the consultation has concluded at the end of the month, the results will be brought in...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 11:57 · Like ·Remove Preview
Dazmondo Tyndall I've a proposition for you Torfaen.
I'm changing the way I am paying my council tax to you, you can choose from:
Fortnightly payments - but they'd be half as much....See More
11 June at 11:58 · Like
Torfaen A number of posters were unsure which items can be recycled in the different containers we provide. This link will tell you which items can be recycled in which containers
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 11:59 · Like ·Remove Preview
Louise Morse You didn't reply to my comment, but simply removed it. I'll post it again -------- but can you deny that we are moving to a once a month black bin collection?
11 June at 13:04 · Like
Lane Lippiatt I have been waiting since the bags were issued to recycle cardboard for a bag to be delivered, I have spoken to the people who go to asda to ask us to recycle yet still nothing, how on earth you expect people to cope with once a month collections. You will start a wave of fly tipping. What exactly does the rising council tax cover as all i see is things being taken away.
11 June at 13:38 · Like · 1
Torfaen Hi Louise Morse the only posts removed last night were duplicates or any that contained unacceptable language. The monthly collection is one of three options we are consulting on.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 14:09 · Like
Torfaen Hi Lane Lippiatt If you could please DM us your details we will investigate this.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 14:09 · Like
Torfaen Current recycling collections
A few comments suggested we move to a co-mingled solution (all the dry recycling in one bin) for recycling that some councils in Wales currently use. The kerbside sort method operated by Torfaen is the Welsh Government pr...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 15:00 · Like
Louise Morse Well, I certainly didn't put objectionable language in my earlier post! I've never needed to do that. But I'll remind you of this conversation when you announce - to no-one's surprise, that we're going to have monthly black bin collections.
11 June at 15:25 · Like
Marie Ellis-jones Sorry Torfaen but you still haven't answered our concerns about where this consultation goes if we do not agree with the 3 proposals you have put forward?
11 June at 15:38 · Like
Torfaen Businesses
Businesses have their own recycling targets to meet which are set by Welsh Government. ...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 15:43 · Like
Torfaen Participation in recycling
Through our research, which includes regular monitoring across the borough, we know that only 50% of residents who currently receive a black box service actually put it out every week. Only 28% of residents who receive a foo...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 15:45 · Like
Torfaen Flats
Currently around 50% of flats in Torfaen receive a recycling service. We are in the process of expanding this to cover all flats in the borough....See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 15:46 · Like
Torfaen For those looking for a breakdown of how council tax is allocated, please visit this link and follow the links on the right hand side
Council Tax
.uk
Council Tax is a locally set tax that is payable on all domestic properties. In ... See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 11 June at 15:52 · Like ·Remove Preview
Barry Jones Please sign the petition to demand that TCBC take the appropriate time to develop a realistic response to the boroughs recycling commitment whilst keeping the needs of the residents in mind. That is their job.
11 June at 16:06 · Like · Remove Preview
Barry Jones Also please join the Facebook group for updates:
11 June at 16:08 · Like · Remove Preview
Sue Davies Why haven't bins and recycling boxes been emptied in parts of Croesy today?
11 June at 17:36 · Like
Karen High Whilst residents may understand and even appreciate that targets have to be met, to be invited to take part in a Consultation where the 3 options are not really adequate is surely going to irritate the same residents. Our household recycles as much as...See More
11 June at 17:37 · Like
Simone Higgins 'Phillips' My recycling bins and bags are used to full capacity. I would not be happy with any of the three options given (which aren't really options at all). I work for a small local business who dont recycle at all. Could you look at businesses doing more recy...See More
11 June at 17:57 · Like
Clare Rogers Not great options but the better of the 3 is smaller black bins. Would it not b beneficial to also review the issues that comes with bins / recycling boxes filling up pavements, people having to walk on roads due to the no of bins that we already have...See More
11 June at 20:02 · Like · 1
Louise Morse That piece of research - about bins put out or not - is very encouraging.
11 June at 20:16 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland yet again TORFAEN i ask this question ,i have 2 large dogs ,i am a responsible dog owner and bag it and bin it POO ,i bag 18 kg of poo per 2 weeks ,36 kg if it goes to monthly ,1..it would make my bin with monthly rubbish too heavy .2.. we would have maggots .3 would your bin men then be refusing to empty a maggot fly infested too heavy to move bin ??????????????????
11 June at 23:59 · Like
Dazmondo Tyndall So they have roadshows for people to attend between 9 and 4 in blah blah blah.. So then Torfaen are you basically saying you are holding these "roadshows" in the daytime because the stay at home parents and the unemployed are the ones who don't recycl...See More
12 June at 10:04 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland 4 times i have asked the same question ,still no reply ,why dont councillors take a pay cut instead ,you are cutting our services ,but council tax just going up ,i live next to wood ,have no lights (a school path mind ) see no police ,get my bin emptied once a fortnight ,but still i pay £110 per month (fot what Torfaen ??????? Quite frankly Torfaen you need to remember the people who voted you in ...USSSS
12 June at 12:44 · Like
Torfaen Gareth James Hi Gareth, I think this is one I can answer rather than Cynon! Thanks for the compliment but I'm afraid the answer is no ... don't think hubbie will be too impressed.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:14 · Like
Lee Williams Love how all the critical comments get ignored. Well done. Why bother with roadshows waste of time n money your just gunna do what justifies the biggest bonus, wage increase and pension anyway
12 June at 23:13 · Like
Lyndon Jones they churn out meaningless statistics that even they dont believe ,but sidestep any opposite viewpoints, and we pay them for this attitude
14 June at 21:58 · Like
Simon Jenkins Torfaen ? 1 - Paper bring banks in Torfaen are to be removed, starting this week - This will add to the can / bottles banks already removed, this is not helping recyling - how many people in torfaen have no kerbside collection and need these banks ?...See More
17 June at 09:37 · Like
Torfaen Hi Simon Jenkins Please find answers to most questions below. There are one or two that are about operational issues and we will come back on these.
1 - Paper bring banks in Torfaen are to be removed, starting this week - This will add to the can / bo...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 June at 09:53 · Edited ·Like · Remove Preview
Lesley Gronow Hartland Torfaen i have asked this question 5 times ,what do i do with 36 kg of dog poo that as a responsible dog owner i bag and bin ,that is how much i would have if it went to monthly collections ,we would have maggots ,flies ,rats ,and it would make my bin so heavy ,im sure that the bin men would refuse to take it ............... please answer Torfaen
17 June at 09:59 · Like
Torfaen Good morning Lesley,
Apologies, we answered a number of questions on animal waste during both Q&A sessions and as there were a lot of duplications, did not answer them all personally. ...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 June at 10:22 · Like ·Remove Preview
Lee Williams I put glass coasters in my recycle box glass mind and an iron / steel pan neither was taken. Can u explain why? Both are made of easily recyclable materials. Do u want me to landfil them ?
17 June at 12:32 · Like
Torfaen Hi Lee. Without seeing them, it is likely that the coasters are actually pyrex or a similar material which can't be recycled unfortunately. These would need to go in the black bin. We don't have a kerbside recycling service for items like the metal pan, however, we can recycle this if it is taken to the household waste recycling centre.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 June at 14:01 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland torfaen ,this still does not answer my question ,a months rubbish and 36kg of dog poo ,we have to jump in the bin to get just 2 weeks in ,and if my lids open they refuse to take !!!!!!!!!!!!
17 June at 14:04 · Like
Lee Williams Hand on the metal pan is iron/steel exactly the same material as the bean cans u collect every week. I work in the steel industry n know for a fact we prefer to have scrap in this form for recycling rather than tin cans etc that have coatings labels etc on them . I won't be taking it to the tip I pay my council tax art of which is to pay for you lot to collect my waste .
17 June at 14:26 · Like · 1
Torfaen Simon Jenkins Hi Simon, to answer two further questions:
17 - Why is it when rubbish (recycling bags etc) are dumped by a recycle bank, and a TCBC litter pick team arrives that they cannot put it in the van and take it back to recycle ? Why is another...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 19 June at 10:25 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland i saw you team in asda ,and was told there are NO PROVISIONS FOR ANIMAL WASTE (POO ) TO PUT IT IN MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE TIP ,36 kgs a month ,perhaps if i just take all my rubbish up there then maybe dont have to pay so much council tax ,and if my bin is too heavy then they wont take it anyway ....i shall note be voting labour in future .......
19 June at 12:09 · Like
Date: 12th June 2014
Purpose of post: Announcement of second Q&A session
Reach: 2,883
Comments on post: 18 (including council replies)
Shares: 3
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Torfaen
Dana and Cynon are back for another live Facebook Q&A from 2-3pm this afternoon to take questions on our current black bin consultation.
We know from the excellent response on Tuesday night that proposals to change waste collections are a hot topic and they will aim to respond to all the themes raised.
We appreciate that many of you may have questions about the wider waste collection service but we would like to try and keep this particular session specifically on the options in the consultation.
Information about the consultation, and the consultation itself, is available here
The full report is available here
Further live Q&As will be held on Wednesday 25th June 2pm – 4pm and Thursday 26th June 6pm – 8pm.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 12 June
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• Nicola Smith likes this.
Nicola Smith Great that you've spread them over different times! Thank you
12 June at 09:55 · Like
Dazmondo Tyndall Why bother? They never answer the real questions? Maybe they should get back to actually working!
12 June at 10:07 · Like · 3
Karen Adlam I have written on your wall but not had a reply so this is why I'm putting a question on here. Why weren't the black recycling boxes emptied yesterday on Coed Y Gric Rd, Griffithstown? Mine is still out
12 June at 10:16 · Like
Tracey Gates I want to know y we have to pay for new bins when they r either put on lorry or stolen which mine was 2 weeks ago. If it was through a fault of my own fair enough ie broken or damaged.
12 June at 10:20 · Like
Jay Davies This was how my bins were left yesterday morning.
12 June at 11:10 · Like
Barry Jones Please join the Residents voice group here:
More
12 June at 11:11 · Like · Remove Preview
Mad Welsh Mamz How can you limit the discussion, when some people actually want to offer suggestion that may help increase the level of recycling?
12 June at 12:10 · Like
Mad Welsh Mamz Hello - Would it be possible to swap around current usage, so we could use the green bin for cardboard and the blue bag for garden waste please? Plus could you look at cardboard going to a weekly collection please. I get absolutely loads from packaging...See More
12 June at 12:10 · Like
Karen Selway Ha ...all these complaints but I bet everyone will go to the Advertise Torfaen aka The Big Event on Saturday. When will people realise that unless they stand united against ALL THE SHODDY TREATMENT dealt out to EVERYONE by these grunting snout - nosed...See More
12 June at 12:48 · Edited · Like · 1
Jay Cox Your not going to listen to wot the public want anyway all this is just to make it look as if you are most of us want a weekly bin collection because the 3 options you give us is a ***** joke
12 June at 13:03 · Like · 1
Natalie Phillips I'm all for recycling and I recycle everything I can. I think before any desicions are made regarding new collections/bins etc. and massive amounts of money changing bins, Torfaen needs to spend money on getting the current process into a state that w...See More
12 June at 13:22 · Edited · Like · 2
Torfaen Karen Adlam Hi Karen, there were issues due to vehicle breakdowns but your area should be cleared today.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:14 · Like
Torfaen Mad Welsh Mamz Hi. All suggestions are welcome and will be looked at as part of this process. It would be great if you could complete our consultation and include this idea
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:15 · Like ·Remove Preview
Torfaen Natalie Phillips Hi Natalie. We are always working to improve our service. If you could DM us the details of of this shop we will investigate and provide a response. Businesses have their own recycling targets to meet which are set by Welsh Government, we do provide a trade service but businesses are under no obligation to use us.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:20 · Like
Torfaen Jay Davies Hi Jay, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Will will ensure the crew is spoken to.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:22 · Like
Torfaen Mad Welsh Mamz Hi, to answer the second part of your question, a monthly collection would mean per calender month. We would take into account the extra waste produced at Christmas and New Year and provide extra provision during these times. You can have as many food containers as you need - if you would like additional containers please DM us your details and we will arrange this.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:25 · Like
James Coleman nothing personal but 2-3 while all the council tax payers are in work. Great work guys....
12 June at 19:00 · Like
Torfaen Hi James Coleman On Tuesday this week we ran a session 6pm - 8pm.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 13 June at 10:28 · Like
Bottom of Form
Date: 12th June 2014
Purpose of post: Second live Q&A session
Reach: 6,166
Comments on post: 207 (including council replies)
Shares: 13
[pic]
Torfaen
Good afternoon and welcome to the first second Facebook Q&A on our black bin consultation. We've got Dana Eynon, head of property, streetscene and waste, and Cynon Edwards, group leader for waste and streetscene, answering your questions for the next hour.
The purpose of this session is to answer your questions about the current consultation on proposals for the future of black bin collections in the borough.
We received an excellent response on Tuesday night, and it may not be possible to reply to every query individually, however, we will do our best to address all issues raised. Where the same issue is raised on multiple occasions, we may need to reply a single response to all queries.
To recap:
From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets.
All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
As such, doing nothing is not an option. The bulk of waste produced by the average household can now be recycled at the kerbside, and reducing the amount of general (black bin) waste collected has been proven to push up recycling rates.
The options we are asking you to consider are:
Maintaining a fortnightly collection with a replacement smaller black wheelie bin. The bin, which would hold 140 litres, would be supplied free of charge by the council
A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household. The bags would be provided free of charge by the council
Moving to a monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
All options include provision for a dedicated collection for nappies for those who need it.
Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
Recycling collections, assisted collections, and medical collections will continue to operate as normal.
Your comments, along with those generated through our online consultation (which can be accessed here) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month.
This will then be presented to scrutiny at the end of July, which is open to the public to observe and taken to full council later in the year, and it will be councillors who decide which option to take forward.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 12 June
•
• Jeff Berms, Louise Crossland, The Town Crier Magazine and 4 otherslike this.
• 13 shares
Andrew Robins Your options are not feasible for a family of 2 adults 2 children we recycle everything but still fill our Black bin fortnightly. This will lead to fly tipping. Also black bin bags will get ripped open causing a health hazzard that the council will have to clean up before they get prosecuted. Your ideas are useless.
12 June at 14:12 · Like · 7
Torfaen Andrew Robins Hi Andrew, thanks for your post. We believe they are feasible as these systems already work elsewhere. If you feel you are recycling everything you can and still cannot cope, then please PM us your details and a waste awareness officer will visit you to see what further you can do. These systems have not proven to lead to a permanent increase in flytipping and if all food and food containers, etc, are removed from the refuse sacks, assuming that is what is chosen, then there should be little left in the sacks to attract animals.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:16 · Like · 1
Ken Davies Again, pointless
12 June at 14:16 · Like · 1
Samantha Lowery I'm all for recycling but am unable to recycle food waste at the moment due to the bin men breaking my brown food waste bin & the waiting list is four weeks to replace it...I'm still waiting
12 June at 14:17 · Like
Nicola Perry I disagree. We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children. Now that we recycle so much more we have alot more room in the black bin.
But my black recycling bins are still sat at the front of my house as they were not emptied this week!!! ( tuesday)
12 June at 14:18 · Like
Samantha Lowery So everything food wise is now going in the black bin.
12 June at 14:19 · Like
Ken Davies And its obvious that these options are now set in stone !! So q+a are just wasting ppls time
12 June at 14:19 · Like · 3
Samantha Lowery Also interested in the nappy collection system. Would this be a separate bin?
12 June at 14:19 · Like
Laura Bates None of the options are really feasible, we recycle everything and our black bin is still almost full each collection and when it's not full you can guarantee our neighbours will 'top it up' prior to collection. It's especially difficult to reduce bin size or extend collection time if you have young children or animals. What about nappies? ( I believe there is talk of a seperate collection for these but am not sure on the details) or animal waste?
12 June at 14:20 · Like
Barry Jones If you would like to exercise the option of real choice beyond the three unviable ones on offer, as wish for meaningful consultation to take place then please sign this petition:
And join the residents voice group here:
12 June at 14:20 · Like · 6 · Remove Preview
Ken Davies Never used brown caddy no intentions of ever using it its disgusting
12 June at 14:20 · Like · 3
Torfaen Samantha Lowery Hi Samantha, sorry if you're still waiting for your brown caddy, we're not aware of any backlog issues. If you can PM your details, we'll chase that up for you. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:20 · Like
Ken Davies Done it
12 June at 14:20 · Like
Ceri Dallimore What will happen with the old larger black bins? Are they going to be picked up and recycled?
12 June at 14:21 · Like
John Vinall There's a lot of upset and anger about these plans as it continuously seems like the council is reducing services without thinking through how they will affect ordinary families. My chief issue is that it appears that Torfaen has no concept of the carrot and has only given options for the stick (reduce size of bin, reduce collection times, etc).
Given that the issue is that Torfaen needs to improve recycling rates should your action not be focussed on improving recycling rates not failing to collect non-recyclable waste?
12 June at 14:21 · Like · 2
Chris Felvus This is absolutely ridiculous, once again government and councils meddling in peoples lives. Black bins should be emptied once a week, not fortnightly and certainly not monthly. Take a look at the bins when they are emptied, guarantee 99% of peoples are full to the brim after 2 weeks. Not to mention hygiene issues, especially in summer months.
12 June at 14:22 · Like · 4
Torfaen Nicola Perry hi Nicola. We did have a vehicle problem on Tuesday and we have been catching up. PM us your details and we'll look into it for you and get back to you.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:22 · Like
Suzanne Parry-Price The problem is that the options being looked don't seem to take into account the flats in Torfaen that don't recycle and businesses/schools who don't recycle. If everyone in Torfaen was treated equally then this would not be an issue
12 June at 14:22 · Edited · Like · 3
Barry Jones My black bin is full every two weeks, absolutely ALL of the current recyclable waste is either put in the black boxes, or taken to the tip. Given these facts, how is it proposed that I reduce my waste levels by over 50%?
12 June at 14:22 · Like · 4
Samantha Lowery Thank you. Can I just say that the caddies & recycle bins would last much longer if the collection teams didn't throw them.
12 June at 14:22 · Like · 6
Barry Jones Can you confirm if the option to move to monthly collections means 12 collections a year? This is more than a 50% cut as the bins are currently collected 26 times in a year.
12 June at 14:24 · Like · 7
Torfaen Ken Davies Hi Ken, we understand that not everyone will like what is being proposed but the Council has to do something to improve recycling performance. This consultation is giving residents a chance to say which of the three would be most preferable. Many authorities are rolling out reduced black bin capacity methods and have not consulted with their communities on what method they'd prefer.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:27 · Like
Charis Easter
12 June at 14:27 · Like · 1
Barbara Atherton I take a lot of time to recycle there are some fortnights when I have to hold back a bag to go into the next fortnights bin. I don't think it's a good idea to empty bins less or to supply smaller bins! There is fly tipping now so what is it going to be like after !
12 June at 14:27 · Like · 3
Torfaen Samantha Lowery Hi Samantha, yes, it would be a separate container and probably a heavy duty bag which is widely used in the UK.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:27 · Like · 1
Charis Easter Sign the petition and lets have a proper consultation!!!
12 June at 14:27 · Like · 4
Carly Anslow Can I ask why flats don't recycle and have their bins emptied every week please? Sorry I seem to be missing something are people living in flats not the same as people living in houses?? Think that should be addressed first surely!
12 June at 14:28 · Edited · Like · 3
Barry Jones Torfaen, this by the very definition of the word is not consultation, so I'm afraid you have to group yourself with those other councils.
12 June at 14:28 · Like · 1
Torfaen Laura Bates Hi Laura, we would look to introduce a separate nappy collection with any of the options proposed, which will save space within your black bin. Animal waste can go in the black bin.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:29 · Like
Normajean Jenkins Torfaen i was in torfaen customer centre in cwmbran yesterday... I noticed questionaires where there regarding this matter asking for opinions... Why was this not made public?
Also what 'arrangements' will be made for nappies etc?
I also believe the matter of reducing landfill waste should be attacked at the first source eg supermarkets and shops reducing packagings so the consumer is not left to tackle their own footprint and that of the primary source?
And how where the 3 options created? Where was the public information before the options where created?
12 June at 14:29 · Like · 1
Ryan Fowler What's the point in having questions and answers? Nobody can give you a straight answer. I phoned the council yesterday with regards to my green bin not being emptied yet again, that's 3 times now in as many collections that it's been left. Where is my waste supposed to go when the bins are already full coz in competent idiots find it too difficult to do their jobs and empty them? Where does the extra waste go when we fill our black bins after you change to the new system? Maybe outside county hall will be ok?
12 June at 14:30 · Like · 2
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board R we having another pointless questions asked and no answers again???? Or shud i say answers to selected questions!!!!! Mine still havent been answeres from the other nite all 4 that i asked i wont be asking again tho as i need to figure out wot i will be doing with my rubbish wen u go ahead with the plan u hav already made regardless of what we think!!!!!!
12 June at 14:30 · Like · 1
Claire Telfer Its absolutely ridiculous its going to cause more people to fly tip im a family of 5 and I cant even wait 2 weeks for my black bin to be emptied its full in a week I dont use the brown caddy its causes to have flys and maggots around people's properties
12 June at 14:31 · Like
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Carley i asked that the other nite and still no reply!!!!!!
12 June at 14:31 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ceri Dallimoren Hi Ceri, if skinny bins or a bag system is chosen then we will take back the larger black wheelie bins and these will be recycled. If a bag system is chosen then residents can have the option of keeping it to store their refuse bags in before their collection day.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:31 · Like
Roy Phillips Owing to the children growing up I now have four adults with in the family. My concern is with the brown bin, it should be made larger so that is can accommodate all food recycling which can be quite substantial when using fresh ingredients
12 June at 14:32 · Like
Martyn Hooper option 4 , at the next local election we change our coucillers if this go's ahead. You lot really do forget who's money your playing with.
12 June at 14:32 · Edited · Like · 4
Deri W. Fisher Sorry people but you're wasting your time on this subject. They won't listen to your concerns, they never do! The decision on this has already been taken. As to the suggestion there will be no increase in fly-tipping, there will be. I guarantee it...
12 June at 14:32 · Like · 4
Charis Easter obviously if you live in a flat you don't have to bother...probably why we don't get an answer on that one..
12 June at 14:33 · Like · 1
Martyn Hooper Option five, there is a general election next year, what a vote loser for our MP.
12 June at 14:33 · Like · 1
Barbara Atherton Can I enquire about dog waste? where will people put it as there will be no room in bins surely, will we have streets stinking?
12 June at 14:33 · Like
Nathan Davies I agree flats should recycle, I lived in viaduct court for 8 years and never had to recycle, we also had one big communal bin, why not implement recycling in flats
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 3
Chris Marsh Those food caddies are vile things. If they are kept in the house, they soon stink the whole house out (within hours in Summer) ; if they are kept outside, it means that we are running back and fore like reverse wombles - not to mention even MORE clutter taking up our space. Surely there can be a way that food can be put in some kind of bio-degradable bag and THEN in the caddy?
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 1
Roy Phillips I did see something written by someone recently which asked why more was not being done at solving the major problem which was government buildings and offices not doing there bit towards recycling schools must have a lot of waist all going in one direction
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 2
Karen Edwards I feel like we are being totally fobbed off. This is definately not a consultation in my eyes as we are just being asked to pick one of the options you are dictating. If you need to up your recycling why aren't we provided with recycling bins instead of the kerbside boxes which has proved a useless method? I would happily have a smaller black bin then. If Caerphilly council can do this why can't we? A lack of thought has gone into the options you have provided us I'm afraid.
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 6
Torfaen Ken Davies Hi Ken, the food waste is a weekly collection but 72% of residents are not putting out their food waste every week. Can you tell us what would encourage you to recycle your food waste?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:34 · Like
Torfaen John Vinall Hi John, we do lots of education and awareness to promote recycling which is why we are currently at 52%, which meets the existing Welsh Government target. We know that only 50% of residents recycle every week or don't fully use all the facilities available to them at the kerbside. By reducing the black bin size, this will encourage residents to use those facilities.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:34 · Like
Charis Easter well lets make sure labour don't get in again then.... the people of Torfaen keep voting them in...
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 7
Gareth Griffiths Get Wellington and his cronies on here to answer the questions. I bet he doesn't have waste left lying around.
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 3
Normajean Jenkins Y have a black bag option then Torfaen if they are stored in current bins til collection day?!
Might as well scrap that option and continue as normal?!
Besides i.was always under the impression your refuse staff do not pick up black bags as they cannot see what is inside it?
12 June at 14:34 · Like · 5
Rachel Williams My issue with the proposed options for me is our pet/animal waste. i have two large dogs and a number of other pets and with other general non recyclable waste my bin is full to the brim every fortnight. I feel that a monthly collection with the same sized bin is a health risk and the smell will be horrendous. Having a smaller bin with fortnightly collections will not make me produce less waste and my bin will be full before the collection comes around. The black bag option is ridiculous and an even bigger health risk with animal waste stored in them waiting for collection. Leptosparosis, Cryptosporidiosis & Hantavirses can all be caught from animal waste and surely having this lying/hanging around for up to a month or on the floor is only asking for trouble. I feel that when this question was asked on the first Q&A session it was swept under the carpet!
12 June at 14:35 · Edited · Like · 3
Tonia Trickey There is 6 of us in this house hold including a baby, every week we have 2 recycling black box, a full cardboard fortnightly and still an over flowing black bin.. How will we cope with monthly collections and smelly bins it's going to cause flies, maggots, rats.. Foxes etc.. it will cause endless problems!!
12 June at 14:35 · Like · 2
Barry Jones Please join the Residents voice Facebook page, there is a full list of your ward councillors, an option to copy and paste the text for a standard email, and a link to the online petition:
12 June at 14:35 · Like · 4 · Remove Preview
Chris Marsh It doesn't 'encourage'. It 'forces'; it dictates. It means work for us with no reduction in the amount we pay for the service.
12 June at 14:36 · Like · 3
Torfaen Chris Felvus Hi Chris, the days when everyone put everything in their black bin, the council collected once a week and landfilled it all are gone, I'm afraid. We have directives to follow and targets to meet which have environmental bases. We're doing what we can to meet these by providing facilities at the kerbside so that residents can recycle.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:38 · Like
Nathan Davies I'd also like to know will our council tax bills go down when you do this, I doubt they will
12 June at 14:38 · Like
Helen Desmond I live in Monmouthshire and we have 2 bags picked up every fortnight which so far has worked out well for my family. It does seem stupid to buy smaller bins when money is clearly the problem! Welsh government is useless! Worse thing we ever did!!!
12 June at 14:38 · Like · 2
Gemma Vaughan Thats an interesting point, There is a rubbish shoot in the tower block, with all the money they have spent trying to make it look a little prettier surely a recycling facility should have been introduced, will they get their rubbish limited to just two bags a fortnight too?? i doubt it.
12 June at 14:40 · Like · 4
Torfaen Hi Suzanne Parry-Price Currently around 50% of flats in Torfaen recycle and we are working on the rest. If all the flats which don’t receive a recycling service performed at the same level as the rest of the properties in Torfaen current perform, the overall contribution would be around 1%, meaning we would achieve a recycling rate of 53%.
Businesses have their own recycling targets to meet which are set by Welsh Government.
We do collect waste from some businesses, however, it is a commercial market and businesses are free to choose any contractor to remove their waste. They are under no obligation to use the local authority.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:40 · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones Hi Barry, the offer made to others for the waste awareness officer to visit and see what further can be done extends to you too, so if you will PM us your details, then we can arrange that. As for your question about how many collections would residents receive if we moved to monthly collections, it would be 13 collections because this is once every 4 weeks, and as stated in the consultation, we will make an allowance for Christmas and New Year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:40 · Like
Torfaen Samantha Lowery Thanks Samantha, the crews are frequently reminded not to throw boxes. If you can give us date, time and location we will investigate.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:42 · Like
Barry Jones Can you pleas answer my question about how to reduce my household waste by over 50% based on the information that I have given you on my recycling habits being 100% of what is possible? It seems that you are avoiding the question.
12 June at 14:42 · Like
Carly Anslow Recycling food waste is awful! It stinks the day after so why on earth would we want it in our homes for 2 weeks?
12 June at 14:42 · Like · 2
Gemma Vaughan how much will it cost to provide two bags to every resident in torfaen? Will these bags be kept outside - will they blow away when empty? Are they vermin proof!! I think more info is needed!!
12 June at 14:43 · Like · 1
Suzanne Parry-Price I recycle everything that I can right down to cardboard loo roll tubes. I'm lucky as my black bin currently isn't full after the two week period but there is no way I would be able to sustain another two weeks with monthly collections. My black boxes, blue bag and brown bin are always rammed to bursting yet there is no proposal to improve recycling facilities even though recycling is the real issue! Torfaen need sit up and take note, these proposals will not work! We can't recycle more if we don't have the facilities!
12 June at 14:43 · Like · 1
Torfaen Barbara Atherton Thank you for your comments. Other authorities which have done this have found that there have been no significant increases in flytipping. This link which show you which items can be recycled in which container If you would like any further assistance them please pm us your details.
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Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:45 · Like ·Remove Preview
Normajean Jenkins Why not introduce recycling bins, rather than the boxes... Then generate a 2 weekly recycle collection alongside the smaller black bin 2 weekly collection..
I find it a pest to squeeze all my recycling in the boxes to drag it to the end of my lane (and when.its been raining i always get wet feet)
Also less likely to get complaints of damaged boxes then torfaen...
With my council tax demand increasing year by year i trust there is no financial issue!
12 June at 14:45 · Like · 3
Torfaen Carly Anslow Hi Carly. Around 50% of flats in Torfaen recycle their waste and we are working to get the remaining 50% on to recycling schemes by the end of the year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:46 · Like
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Torfaen its every day every week at the times they work that they throw the bins boxes caddies and bags around they r a nitemare with it. May i also take this opportunity to ask hiw can u work out 1% wen they dnt recycle so how would u get this figure????? Also 1% seems very low if 50% dnt hav this facililty xxx
12 June at 14:46 · Like · 2
Barry Jones Torfaen, can you arrange more of these Q&A sessions please? Every time you run one and avoid answering reasonable questions from the people you are employed to serve, the signatures on the petition shoot up!
12 June at 14:46 · Like · 6
Gemma Vaughan ^^^^ cop out!!!!
12 June at 14:46 · Like
Carly Anslow Don't like replying to "why don't flats recycle" do you Torfaen! Absolutely ridiculous! There may as well be no options...lets face it once again you are dictating! Its already clearly been decided. ..you're just going down the red tape road!!
12 June at 14:48 · Like · 1
Jade Mason My black bin is always full after 2 Weeks its a struggle and that's with recycling everything, these 3 options are stupid ideas u will just end up with black bags left everywhere on the streets !!
12 June at 14:48 · Like
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Barry i like the entertainment factor too i hav laffed so much in ages!!!! Xxx
12 June at 14:49 · Like
Andrew Loder Monthly collection is asking for trouble. Once the bin is full people will become lazy and throw everything in a black bag and take it to the household waste skip at the tip. Have Torfaen conducted a survey on what type of things people aren't recycling?
12 June at 14:50 · Like
Carly Anslow Not good enough Torfaen! They should have been introduced the exact same time! YES lets have a meeting about this, not through social media! Back to basics anyone?
12 June at 14:51 · Like · 1
Torfaen Hi Normajean Jenkins We are trying to seek views from as many residents as possible, including those who visit us in person at our offices. For all options we are proposing an additional fortnightly collection of nappies.
We share you concerns regarding packing from supermarkets etc, and we regularly respond to Welsh Government consultations raising this issue. Less packaging would result in less waste.
If you would like to know more about the three options and how they are created I would urge you to read the original report. The link is included above.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:51 · Like
Sally-Lorena Burlow Is it me or does this fella in the picture look the spit image of tim curry ... not being meen or anything just saying* film it comes to mind
12 June at 14:52 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ryan Fowler Hi Ryan, sorry you have been experiencing problems with the green bins, please DM us the details and we will investigate to try and resolve the on-going problems.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:53 · Like
Andrew Yacomen Regardless of the overall decision on black bins/bags will the capacity for food waste/ recyclable materials be increased? Ours is already overflowing on a regular basis and we find it difficult to continue recycling when it's full and collection is a while away.
12 June at 14:53 · Like · 2
Kris Thomas Refund my TAXES and i'll take my own rubbish like i do every week due to your lot not taking all of it EU interference and rules the sooner we are out the better.
12 June at 14:53 · Like
Nicholas Wills I recycle as much as is possible. My chickens get the food and garden waste and still my black bin is full at the end of two weeks. I have two young children. A monthly collection is a environmental and health hazard. A smaller bin on a two weekly collection is going to cost a fortune to implement and where are the large bins going. Supplying bin bags is another on going cost that in times of austerity we can't afford.
This consultation is nothing but a paper exersize, option 3 had already been chosen before it started. All the council have to do is miss a collection a month and it is done. The other 2 option require some sort of effort from tcbc!
Why is there no option on increasing the size of our recycling bins and staying as we are with collections? Or even popping over to Caerphilly council and taking a leaf out of their book where waste is concerned.
I aired my views at the last consultation to no avail and I doubt if I'll get a response to this either
12 June at 14:54 · Like · 2
Chris Marsh They all float down here, Sally-Lorena Burlow
12 June at 14:55 · Like
Lindy Williams You need to recycle more Monday I only had half black bin full as recycled all I could. Got home to bags of plastic that I had recycled left on road, hence that's in bin now. If they recycled more plastics etc there be less waste
12 June at 14:55 · Like
Torfaen Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Hi Catherine we are trying to respond as many questions as possible. If you were missed on Tuesday then we do apologies but were responding to more than 300 comments. We did provide some generic answers that covered a number of posts. Please post your question here and I assure you we will respond.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:55 · Like
Barry Jones Please join the residents voice group that is campaigning for proper consultation and properly though out solutions. Unfortunately TCBC have left it so late to react to targets that have been in place for a long time, we risk being stuck with their knee jerk reaction:
12 June at 14:55 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Nud Rehman Can you please share what can actually be recycled in the black box or a link to the information? As I am sure a lot of people are not recycling to full potential due to not being aware of what can be.
12 June at 14:56 · Like · 1
Gemma Vaughan can i have a response please?
12 June at 14:56 · Like · 1
Torfaen @Claire Telfer Hi Claire. Monmouth introduced the 2 bag a fortnight option and while there was an initial increase in the first few weeks when residents were getting used to the new scheme, it then returned to normal levels. This is consistent with what we have heard from other authorities.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:57 · Like
Kirsty McCarthy Would be nice if we got rewarded for using reusable nappys
12 June at 14:58 · Like
Torfaen Roy Phillips Hi Roy. You can have additional brown caddies for your food waste - please dm us your details and we can arrange this.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 14:58 · Like
Sian Price Businesses, council offices and schools need to recycle! We are being made to recycle and go to monthly bin collections what are they going to do?? Annually they have more waste than households
12 June at 14:59 · Like
Debbie Kendall Hi the brown bin is a really awful it smells and food goes mouldy, why can this not have bags supplied for, surely that would encourage the people to use them, as a lot of people don't due to the smell and mess it leaves, also I'm sure smaller bins will get pinched so some house holds will have two to combat your ideas for recycling, if this happens will we be charged for anothe bin ?
12 June at 15:00 · Like · 1
Torfaen Barbara Atherton Hi Barbara. Unfortunately animal waste cannot be recycle and would need to be placed out in the general waste as it is now.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:00 · Like
Torfaen Nathan Davies Hi Nathan, further to previous responses, we are introducing recycling for the remaining 50% of flats which don't currently receive it by the end of the year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:01 · Like
Joanna Giles torfean is there any way of getting bigger black box recycling bins ?? i can never fit all my recycling for 5 of us in that tiny box are there any plans to get biggers black boxes as this would encourage me to recycle more !!!
12 June at 15:02 · Like · 1
Sally Martin the only way i could see a cut in bin collections working would be if we could join in with Monmouthshire's nappy collection . . .
12 June at 15:03 · Like · Remove Preview
Torfaen Chris Marsh Hi Chris, you should also have a green kitchen caddy and you can purchase kitchen caddy liners from your local shop. If you feel that having free liners would encourage you to recycle your food waste, then please make this point when you respond to our consultation and that will be fed into the decision making process.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:03 · Like · 2
Torfaen Roy Phillips Hi Roy, we have recycling facilities in all our council offices and we do offer a recycling service to schools, however, they are not obliged to use us.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:04 · Like
Sally Martin or if the recycle box men actually knew what to take and didn't leave half a box full depending on their mood.
12 June at 15:04 · Like · 3
Gareth McCann Hi Torfaen please could you tell me why the recycling isn't picked up in Blaenafon? Three weeks in a row my recycling wasn't picked up on the correct pick up date. How can you change when you can't get that right.
12 June at 15:04 · Like
Barry Jones Joanne Giles, you can have more recycling boxes, I have three and fill them, but it does not allow the current black bin to last 4 weeks. This is with a family of four taking care to purchase items with reduced packaging.
12 June at 15:05 · Like
Gareth Jolliffe I think most people appreciate that recycle rates need to be increased , and I appreciate you don't want to discuss the wider services , BUT it all goes hand in hand. To reduce landfill residents must have the alternative options available. Providing an option to collect small electrical items would help especially as disposal if these are covered by regulation anyway (WEEE). In addition we must reduce or stop the amount if waste left around the streets of the borough following collections that end up in landfill via the road sweepers etc. also the other community recycling areas must be maintained to keep residents engaged , I've attached a pic if the recycling station behind Trevethin shops taken earlier today, this has been reported and action promised but letting it get to this state is not acceptable.
12 June at 15:05 · Like · 5
Torfaen @karen edwards Hi Karen, the method we have always employed in Torfaen is the Welsh Government preferred method. As mentioned on Tuesday night, those authorities who do not currently use this method are being strongly encouraged to do so by the Welsh government as it has been proven to be the most sustainable means of collecting recycling material from households. It also produces higher levels of good quality recyclate without the need to process it such as post collection sorting and cleaning.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:07 · Like
Ian Wright Load of crap this. How about house's that have more or less people in. Our bins overfull every week with 4 of us and a few cats. Same bin as 1 person living on own. More people more bins.
12 June at 15:08 · Like
Jamie Craufurd Hi Torfean, have you considered schemes from other parts of Europe, rather than the current short sighted approach?
12 June at 15:08 · Like · 1
Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Torfaen i will ask 1 last time if you are saying that 50% of flats do not recycle then can you tell me hiw do you know that it will only equate to 1% as i dont understand how you can get that figure if they are not recycling because hiw do you know what they will be recycling??? And also how can you say that a single person can have 1 bin yet famillies i know with 8 9 10 or 11 can only have the same size bin this does not and will never ever make sense!!!!
12 June at 15:08 · Like
Torfaen Normajean Jenkins Hi Normajean, the option to keep the big wheelie bin if a refuse bag option is chosen is for storage only. Residents would still need to present the bags at their designated collection point, usually the boundary of their property on collection day. Some residents may not wish to keep the big wheelie bin and we will collect this from them.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:09 · Like
Mell Fry Why are bin men a recycle men so messy leaving rubbish that they drop all over grass and roads ??? Surely its fly tipping but dropping it and leaving it!!! Filthy ppl that they are its outside my house had enough going to news papers next
12 June at 15:12 · Like · 1
Barry Jones Torfaen, like you the WAG are here to serve the electorate, given this I'm sure you'll understand that simply continuing to quote what is their preferential method is wholly unacceptable. Can you confirm that a full transcript of these Q&A sessions are being published for the cabinet review?
12 June at 15:12 · Like
Torfaen Rachel Williams Hi Rachel, sorry if we didn't get back to your specific question on Tuesday, however, we did answer similar questions of this nature on the night. Unfortunately, animal waste cannot be recycled and so has to be placed in with the black waste. Please feel free to feed your comments into the consultation process so members can consider them when they make a decision on this later in the year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:14 · Like
Torfaen @tonia tricky. Hi Tonia. Families of six or more will be entitled to extra capacity for their general waste, as they are now. If you don’t currently have this extra capacity please DM us your details and we will call you to discuss in person.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:16 · Like · 1
Sam Cuerden How can I order a green bin and recycling boxes as ive tried ringing and gotten know where
12 June at 15:17 · Like
Barry Jones One question that has been continually asked but has not as far as I can see been answered, is why isn't a bin size appropriate by household being considered? In my area everyone currently has the same size bin despite the households ranging from 1 person to 5+ surely this is logical and easy to achieve? The added benefit is that a large quantity of the current bins could be retained saving money on purchasing new ones and reducing the need to recycle them.
12 June at 15:18 · Like · 2
Sam Cuerden My post code is np444sx number XXX thanks
12 June at 15:19 · Like
Torfaen Nathan Davies Hi Nathan, council tax is set every year as you know as part of the budget setting process and is linked to what other income the council receives. The amount by which it is raised, or not, is a matter for members when they set the budget. Your waste collection service will, in the main, not change. You will still receive a weekly food collection, a weekly recycling collection, fortnightly cardboard collection, fortnightly green waste collection in the summer and either a fortnightly black waste collection or a 4-weekly black waste collection with a new fortnightly nappy collection.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:20 · Like
Barry Jones Can you please link me to the document that shows the figures proving that a 50% reduction in collection volume is necessary to provide a nett 5% increase in the recycling number (you are getting 1% from the flats). Despite this being the laziest form of implementation imaginable I'd still like to see the figures.
12 June at 15:22 · Like · 2
Marie Ellis-jones Dear Torfaen I think you are mistaken about the Monmouthshire '2 bag' scheme, what they actually have is a coloured bag system that residents use for sorting their rubbish, it's extremely strict as bags are slightly see through so those collecting can see if people are using the correct bags for their items, this is not the system you have suggested as an option, and is probably why Monmouthshire has reached their recycling targets! Please don't give false information, leading residents to believe that you are proposing the system they use in Monmouthshire as that is most certainly not one of your '3 options'!
12 June at 15:22 · Like · 4
Torfaen Thanks all again for your posts. We are logging off the live session now and will see you again in a week or two. However, as with Tuesday, we will continue to answer as many queries as possible that we've not managed to get to yet. We will also continue to post responses to specific themes. Dana and Cynon
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:23 · Like
Barry Jones Torfaen, you've failed to answer every single difficult question, a full transcript showing the complete failure to properly consult will be submitted to the cabinet.
12 June at 15:25 · Like · 4
Sally Chesse We are a family of five and we are back and forth the tip every week.... please don't patronise me again and tell me that a Waste Awareness Officer can call to tell me how to better recycle.... I am not an imbecile; I do all I can. And if you cut the collections - especially in this heat - there will be more maggots than ever in the bins... lovely! Also, I want to know why our neighbours in Newport don't pay for their caddy bags, when we have to pay about £2 per roll?
12 June at 15:26 · Like · 8
Michael Price green bins in milton close have not been emptied thats the whole street
12 June at 15:26 · Like
Barry Jones Please join the residents voice group to ensure that your opinion is properly represented:
12 June at 15:27 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Torfaen Gemma Vaughan Hi Gemma, we will introducing recycling to the remaining 50% of flats this year and they will have their residual waste capacity limited as well.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:43 · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones Hi Barry, as per previous post to you, please DM us and we will arrange for a waste officer to visit you in person.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:44 · Like
Mike Hilton Why did you never answer any thing i asked you about ive mailed you about 6-7 times now and you have not replied once it seems to me that you are picking the questions to answer the ones that we all already no the answers to and you are IGNORING the rest
12 June at 15:45 · Like · 2
Barry Jones So we can take that as a complete unwillingness to publicly prove that your proposals are practical?
12 June at 15:46 · Like · 1
Torfaen @Carly Anslow Hi Carly, to clarify, food waste is collected weekly in the brown caddies. This will not change under these proposals.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:48 · Like
Dorne Cake Boss Williams I recycle , scraps of cooked food go to my dogs, stale bread goes into puddings and also the chickens. Tea bags, eggshells and green waste go onto the compost heap. Cans, plastic cartons and recyclable packaging go into black recycle bin. Cardboard goes into my incinerator ..nothing is wasted yet my black bin is still full on the fortnightly scheme. I don't know how I can possibly do more to rectify this .
12 June at 15:51 · Like · 4
Sallena Stephens Richmond street in Pontnewydd (the recycle box has not been emptied for the whole street.
12 June at 15:52 · Like
Torfaen Gemma Vaughan Hi Gemma, the cost for bags will be around £100,000 per year, however, this has been included in the into the overall savings identified for this particular option (£138,000 per year). The bag option would follow similar systems which exist in other authorities such as Monmouthshire, and they haven't reported an issue with vermin.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:53 · Like
Justin Williams How could you even consider to go monthly on bin collection service??? People's bins are usually filled up by the week and even if you leave a sealed bin by the side of your recycling bin the bin men just leave it there which I find very disgusting it takes 2seconds to pick the bag up and put it into the lorry your just going to find that people are just going to throw away the rubbish into nearby woodland which you guys don't hardly look after as it is seeing I walk my dog and find loads of flytipping items you all need to go sit down and forget the stupid politics and money and come up with better solutions, bins should be collected everyweek for hygiene reasons, there's family's out there with there bin filled withing a few days so I'll wait to see what you choose then your see what happens
12 June at 15:53 · Like · 1
Torfaen @Suzanne Parry Price. Hi Suzanne, additional recycling containers are available free of charge. Please DM us your details and we can arrange delivery.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:55 · Like
Mike Harber Torfaen, will your residents get reduced council tax to reflect the reduction in service (if u can call it a service)? There didn't appear to be a reduction when you moved from weekly to fortnightly so now it's monthly I'm assuming that residents are owed a substantial amount.....
12 June at 15:56 · Like
Mike Hilton Look at this everone ive been IGNORED once again no surprise there
12 June at 15:56 · Like · 1
Barry Jones If you are unsatisfied with the attempted consultation please join the residents voice Facebook group:
12 June at 15:57 · Like · Remove Preview
Torfaen @normajean jenkins. Hi Normajean. As already mentioned, the Welsh Government are not keen on using a bin for collecting recycling and are working with other local authorities to move to a box system, as we operate in Torfaen.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 15:58 · Like
Torfaen Hi Samantha Lowery, your brown food caddy was ordered on the 28.05.14. I would expect the caddy to be delivered within the next couple of days.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 12 June at 15:59 · Like
Mike Hilton Why should i join another group when i thought that was what this group was for to answer questions put to you by the people??
12 June at 15:59 · Like
Rachel Watkins Torfaen my question is yet to be answered. How would you 100% know that the two bags collected fortnightly that you are proposing, that households are only putting out two bags and not more?? ? without house numbers on!
12 June at 16:01 · Like · 3
Torfaen Catherine Nearly Bishop Board Hi Catherine. Around 2000 flats don't have a recycling collection out of around 40,000 properties in Torfaen. By working out the tonnage of recycling that would be collected from these flats, and adding that to our current recycling, tells us the recycling rate would reach 53% (currently we achieve 52%)
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 16:02 · Like
Rachel Watkins Torfaen?
12 June at 16:05 · Like
Torfaen @Andrew Loder. Hi Andrew, we have looked at what people throw away in their bins - Welsh Government has conducted research in Torfaen and looked at what people threw away in their black bins. They found that almost half of the papers, cans, and textiles put out by residents were put out in the black wheelie bin, despite recycling collections for those items being available for all those monitored.
These changes should result in more recyclable waste being put our in the recycling containers, rather than in the general waste.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 16:07 · Edited ·Like
Rachel Watkins Torfaen
12 June at 16:09 · Like
Alison Bellhouse Having carefully read the report ! I agree that monthly collections are the best option. As a family of 5 we will simply have to recycle more carefully. The alternative cost implications for the Borough if we don't, are I agree, unaffordable . Such fines would undoubtably result in increased council tax and cuts in other services. Before anyone shouts, no I'm not a council employee, I just read the report . I do question though the reported cost of advertising and promotion of any such change, it seems awfully high. Can this be reduced?
12 June at 16:10 · Like
Rachel Watkins Torfaen my question is yet to be answered. How would you 100% know that the two bags collected fortnightly that you are proposing, that households are only putting out two bags and not more?? ? without house numbers on!
12 June at 16:12 · Like
Mike Hilton This is a farce they are only trying to look good by invoving the people but i bet their minds are alreafy made up, who do i see to complain about this site and the way i have been ignored!
12 June at 16:12 · Like · 3
Rachel Watkins I give up
12 June at 16:13 · Like
Torfaen Mike Hilton Hi Mike, apologies if we have missed your question, there are a lot of comments are we are trying to respond to as many as we can. I cannot find your original comment - can you please repost and we will respond.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 16:13 · Like
Rachel Watkins Same here
12 June at 16:13 · Like
Torfaen Hi Sam Cuerden, I'll order it now for you.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 12 June at 16:21 · Like
Torfaen Hi Michael Price, we are aware of the missed collection and will be returning as soon as possible.
Commented on by Rhys Herbert · 12 June at 16:23 · Like
Jamie Craufurd Alison Bellhouse, great post. Unfortunately the report is clearly leaving monthly collections as the only viable option. What the report doesn't provide is any substantiation to the figures and statistics or any detailed reasons for discounting the man...See More
12 June at 16:33 · Like · 2
Andrew Hazard I really don't want to put you out by collecting my crap. I think it's best for you if take it straight to the tip. While you're at it have a pay rise as well
12 June at 16:33 · Like · 6
Torfaen Rachel Watkins Hi Rachel. The council will be providing two bags per fortnight to households. As a result, in most cases we would collect two bags from outside each household. However, we do appreciate that some waste is collected communally or from a ...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 16:38 · Like · 1
William Seabourne So the council are providing the bags at what cost ?? Torfean
12 June at 16:40 · Like
Mike Hilton I recycle everthing and still fill my black bin so what happens to the rubbish i cant fit in the smaller bin or i have more than 2 black bags after all we are paying you to remove our rubbish and if i have to take it down the tip myself then i might aswell take it all and in doing i would expect a reduction in my council tax because i would refuse to pay for a service im not using
12 June at 16:42 · Like · 3
Gareth Lord Frills Rusby-Davies I struggle with 3 kids with the system now.... Bin bags will be left in the street if it goes to a monthly collection and my bin is full after to weeks. Absolute disgrace
12 June at 16:46 · Like · 2
Ross Probert Torfaen
Hi i have 4 children and my wife we recycel ever think u take but still fill our bin please tell me how we can onle do two bags?
12 June at 16:46 · Like
Mike Hilton Wheres my answer then
12 June at 16:56 · Like · 1
Debbie Kendall Hi torfaen I have previously asked and not had a response, surely if u open a Q&A forum everyone is entitled to a response unless inappropriate language is used, I there for will ask again. What will happen when we put out our smaller black bins go to...See More
12 June at 17:04 · Edited · Like · 2
Torfaen Mike Hilton Hi Mike, to answer your question, any additional rubbish would need to be taken to the HWRC if it couldn't be recycled, however, if you are curretly recycling everything possible and still filling a full bin then please do DM us with your details to allow a waste awareness officer to contact you in person as we may be able to help.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 17:09 · Like
Torfaen Debbie Kendall Hi Debbie, the policy for replacement of bins would remain the same as it is currently. In terms of bags, we would only provide two bags per fortnight to households and as a result, in most cases we would only collect two bags from outsi...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 12 June at 17:19 · Like
George Appleby How about somewhere in the middle, retain the present bins and collect every 3 weeks. Avoid additional cost of new bins. Whatever happens - please no plastic bags and the litter problems caused by cats, dogs, foxes etc ripping them open.
12 June at 17:21 · Like · 4
Mike Hilton But if im paying for a service and then you say i would have to take any surplus to the tip myself then why should i pay you atall when i might aswell take it all myself and not pay you
12 June at 17:24 · Like · 5
Moira Clark Well. I don't think it is going to work.. The bags are no as the animals will rip them open. The smaller bins a waist of money. I think you will get more fly tipping and that is bad enough., The trouble is you charge to much to pick large items up. My ...See More
12 June at 17:42 · Like · 1
Gemma Croome-davies I dont object in principle to the new proposals, but my main concern is when your deliveries are disrupted, my food bin was not collected yesterday and no one has returned today, its unacceptable to have food waste hanging around for more than 7 days ...See More
12 June at 17:52 · Like · 3
Barry Jones To summarise this Q&A purely from my perspective:
175 posts...See More
12 June at 18:02 · Like · 16
Emma Mayers You should try & answer all the questions that was put to you the other day instead of avoiding them
12 June at 18:07 · Like
Joanna Pugh I suggested you focus on putting recycling bins in town centres and making flats and businesses recycle too before taking further sction. Surely by doing this the statistics would be better
12 June at 18:07 · Like · 3
Charis Easter Torfaen are saying there are no reports in Monmouthshire of vermin. Read an article couple of weeks ago in the newspaper about giant rats in Goytre living in peoples garages!...
12 June at 18:08 · Like · Remove Preview
Mike Hilton Ive already told them that Emma but you might aswell get a piece of chalk and write on your outside wall for all the notice they take
12 June at 18:10 · Like · 2
Kate 'Hewitt' Noyes ‘Pontypool College don’t recycle at all. The large office where I work on the Llantarnum industrial estate are not able to recycle food waste or cardboard as Torfaen CBC do not run collections for this on the site (which has many other large businesses...See More
12 June at 18:39 · Like · 7
Helen E Oliver Opposed to all three look at making the existing staff and their outputs more effective before cutting front line services,there are still savings to be made there
Also review your procurement and look at how eAuctions have saved many other local authorities millions
12 June at 19:02 · Like · 1
Laura Magor I think that depending on the amount of occupants in a house should say if you are entitled to a small or large bin e.g 2 people in my house so a small bin ( which is be happy with ) ? also would a 3 weekly collection. Be a possibility ? maybe meeting in the middle with residents of torfaen would help ?
12 June at 19:16 · Like
Amanda Tee Davies I also have twice requested a large green bin and have not received it. The monthly proposal will not and can not work until ALL recyclable materials are collected.
12 June at 19:27 · Like
Venessa Passaro Well things need to improve to bring in any type of cutting back on services.Today the refuse was collected in our street and when I went out half hr later I was shocked to see the big black bag out of my bin still full of my rubbish bags had been remo...See More
12 June at 19:29 · Like · 3
Katie Holborn Lets video the bin men that look at your large cardboard boxes that dont fit in the tiny blue bag and leave them blow around your estate..or the black bin men that only half empty your black bin each fortnight as they have the motivation..and the commu...See More
12 June at 20:09 · Edited · Like · 11
Sophie Beavan Absolutely ridiculous!!
12 June at 20:49 · Like
Hayley Redman Dump all ur rubbish at the doors of the council offices I say
12 June at 21:03 · Like · 1
Kathryn Tovey Back to the days when dogs ripped open the black bags, rubbish then strewn all over the place, enticing rats this is the way forward is it?
12 June at 21:13 · Like · 2
Lew Lewis What a waste of time and money! Its so not going to work for me and many others..
12 June at 21:25 · Like
Phil Price Wet the fringe up son lmfao
12 June at 21:44 · Like
Cara Williams Total joke...get cards in order with existing system I.e employees who actually collect what they should, instead of a system that appears to be in place of 1,2 miss as many as we feel. We live next to the canal no way could we have any of these option...See More
12 June at 21:46 · Like · 1
Shaun Ellis You should be liaising with the supermarkets that wrap everything in ridiculous amounts of packaging and not the consumer who cannot do anything about it. We are an easy target. Just because you lengthen the collection intervals, do you really think th...See More
12 June at 21:58 · Like · 6
Lucy Evans I moved from torfaen to monmouthshire.... U need to follow in monmouthshires footsteps. Brilliant waste disposal service
12 June at 22:26 · Like
Lucy Evans 2 "black" bags a fortnight. As many recycling bags as u want weekly, food bags weekly and pay as u go garden waste at £10 a bag. Weekly nappy collection too which u have to register for. Council provides all the bags, no expensive bins or boxes that co...See More
12 June at 22:30 · Like
Jane R Waite All three options are impractical. Torfaen you are out of touch with public opinion again!
12 June at 23:02 · Like · 1
Paul Lenni Smith Do we only have these three options or is the whole scheme/proposal under consultation?
Is there any chance that the council could reconsider and take into account the needs and concerns of the residents before forcing any one of these three changes u...See More
12 June at 23:22 · Like · 3
Victoria Jones You cant even handle the collections you have now let alone a different lot of bins
12 June at 23:41 · Like · 1
Sue Humphreys Just a suggestion Torfaen... if you want to know why people don't recycle just go round on a collection day and you can see who recycles and who does not. Go and ask them. We are a family of 5 adults and everything that can be recycled is by necessity ...See More
13 June at 01:39 · Edited · Like
Susan Flowers I live in blaenavon with my husband and 3 children 1 baby in nappies we recycle what we can but still got a black bin full for a fortnight so any other rubbish I have my husband as to take it to the tip as we can't leave it on the back lane by our bin...See More
13 June at 07:41 · Like · 1
Alix Chesse I would rather the smaller black bin option. It's not ideal by far but better option of the three for my family of 6. We try to recycle as much as possible, 3 tubs every week but we still fill our large black bin
13 June at 07:59 · Like · 1
Chris Tew Do the council want to do anything for our hefty council Tax revenue ? A few of the top earners need recycling I think then we could start saving some money !
13 June at 10:10 · Like · 1
Annmarie 'Jones' O'connor I agree with the people talking about businesses need to recycle. There are 5 people in my house and we fill 3 recycle boxes every week plus a few carrier bags of recycling and still my bin is full. Council tax goes up every year and policing and council services are cut every year and now you don't want to take our rubbish. We need to take a stand and end this nonsense.
13 June at 23:19 · Like · 1
Joanne Williams Ok so missed this q&a but with regards to this 2 black bags a fortnight, are u expecting people to put 2 black bags on the street. That will just result in cats and dogs ripping them apart & causing a mess and attracting rats!! Completely impractical!! Also it would help if the refuge collectors didn't drop items all of the floor when emptying black boxes.
16 June at 12:07 · Like
Lesley Gronow Hartland we will about time we had a diff council .labour has got too cosy ,next year you will be really lucky to get back in ,5000 signitures for defacing our childrens graves ,and making Torfaen a landfill site ,im sure that 5000 would make a difference ,£110 pound a month What an earth for Torfaen ,closing our schools ,never see a real copper on the beat ,and rubbish everywhere ,is that what im paying for !!!!!!!!!!!
17 June at 15:58 · Like · 1
Nud Rehman This link may help with understanding how much more you could recycle
18 June at 20:43 · Like · Remove Preview
Bottom of Form
Date: 25th June 2014
Purpose of post: Third live Q&A session
Reach: 4,022
Comments on post: 136 (including council replies)
Shares: 2
[pic]
Torfaen
Good afternoon and welcome our third Facebook Q&A on our black bin consultation. We've got Dana Eynon, head of property, streetscene and waste, and Cynon Edwards, group leader for waste and streetscene, answering your questions for the next hour.
The purpose of this session is to answer your questions about the current consultation on proposals for the future of black bin collections in the borough.
Given the excellent number of responses we have received during previous sessions, it may not be possible to reply to every query individually. However, we will do our best to address all issues raised.
Where the same issue is raised on multiple occasions, or could be answered with reference to this post, we may need to reply with a single response to all queries.
Please take a few moments to view the information below, and have your say by taking part in our consultation which you can do here
To recap:
From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets.
All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
The bulk of waste produced by the average household can now be recycled at the kerbside, and reducing the amount of general (black bin) waste collected has been proven to push up recycling rates.
The options we are asking you to consider are:
Maintaining a fortnightly collection with a replacement smaller black wheelie bin. The bin, which would hold 140 litres, would be supplied free of charge by the council
A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household. The bags would be provided free of charge by the council
Moving to a monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
All options include provision for a dedicated collection for nappies for those who need it.
Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
Recycling collections, assisted collections, and medical collections will continue to operate as normal.
Your comments, along with those generated through the online consultation (which can be accessed here ) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month.
This will then be presented to scrutiny at the end of July, which is open to the public to observe, and taken to full council later in the year, and it will be councillors who decide which option to take forward.
Top of Form
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Darran Powell Whats the point of it the bin men miss most of it anyway yet again upper waun street recycling missed again
25 June at 14:06 · Like
Wayne Williams Will any of the 3 options up for consultation result in job losses for frontline staff?
25 June at 14:08 · Like · 1
Torfaen Darran Powell Darran, sometimes we do get operational issues through vehicles etc. We do address them as well as performance. Leave your recycling out and it will be collected when we catch up. thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:09 · Like
Torfaen Wayne Williams Hi Wayne. No, they will not. The crews will shift from one waste stream to another.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:09 · Like · 1
Samantha Dabb We need larger recycling boxes. We bought our own from B&Q and your binmen threw them around and smashed them all so I refuse to buy more. A family of 3 cannot fit a weeks recycling of all materials into that tiny little box so there is no way a larger family can cope.
25 June at 14:09 · Like · 5
Matthew Cox I asked a number of months ago could we seen more bins along the outskirts of Blaenavon. And was told they were not in budget. We are now in a new financial year have they been added to this year's budget? And if so when can we expect to see them in place?
25 June at 14:10 · Like
Torfaen Samantha Dabb Hi Samantha. You can have as many black boxes you need so if one is not enough, you can have more. The size box we have is standard and has been assessed for health and safety not only for our crews but residents too. Replacement black boxes are free of charge so no need for you to buy your own.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:11 · Like · 1
Wayne Williams Thank you for your reply .
25 June at 14:12 · Like
Gavin Evans So your target increases by 6% and you hit us with a near 50% reduction in black bin waste collection. How does that make any sense?
25 June at 14:12 · Edited · Like
Cheryl Clayton Moving from a fortnightly to a monthly black bin is not viable. I have 6 people in my house including a baby . I recycle have a compost bin a water butt but still my black bin is full every week. Surely by instigating a monthly collection you are also going to get more fly tipping?
25 June at 14:12 · Like
Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Why do you need to ' catch up'. Surely this shows that you will have to increase investment in recycling as well as increasing the efficiency of the service. How do you propose to increase the qty of items you can recycle. The bin men currently throw foil on the floor here! I thought you can recycle that?
25 June at 14:13 · Like · 1
Torfaen Matthew Cox Hi Matthew, we always have a stock of all household receptacles. The bins I think you are referring to are litter bins. We no longer have a budget for litter bins and any that we replace or any new ones we put in are funded from grants or other sources.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:15 · Like
Lucy Trembath If you switched to smaller bins fortnightly which I think I would choose (as rubbish in a bin for a month is disgusting) what would happen to all out existing big black bins? Seems a waste...
Also we have a baby would nappies be collected weekly and would we have another box for them as well?
Thank you
25 June at 14:16 · Like
Torfaen Gavin Evans Hi Gavin, next year's target is 58% but we have to reach 70% by 2025, and 64% by 2020. Depending on which option is chosen, there will be no reduction in the collection service, in fact, there will be an increase in service provision because we will be introducing a dedicated nappy collection service for those who need it.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:17 · Like
Markus Cox How about listening to the residents when they post something on Facebook posts other than these q &a sessions. Yesterday there was a post on flytipping with 60+ comments yet nothing from torfean? These are issues people care about but torfean is ignoring them.
25 June at 14:18 · Like · 1
Torfaen Cheryl Clayton Hi Cheryl, the monthly collection is only one option being considered, there are two others that you can have you say on. As a larger family, you are entitled to extra capacity so if you do not have that now then please contact us and we can come talk to you about it. Also, see the earlier post about the introduction of a dedicated nappy collection service, which will help with your black bin capacity too.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:18 · Like
Laura Austen I have 2 black bins there's 11 of us 2 of my children r in nappies so changing from fortnightly collections to monthly doesn't help me one bit I have also requested new recycle boxes due to them being broken each time they r emptied and I am also still waiting a year and 2 months on for my green garden waste bin which I have requested for a 2nd time and it hasn't showed up
25 June at 14:18 · Like · 2
Torfaen Ailsa Elizabeth Walters Hi Ailsa, yes we do take foil - PM us your address and we will look into this for you. The catch up we're referring to is the daily collection where we may have had a technical issue but these are generally short lived. The funding for all the proposals include for increased investment in the service and finally, there is very little now you cannot recycle at the kerbside - here's a link to all the things you can recycle.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:21 · Edited ·Like · Remove Preview
Laura Austen All these little chats and opinions you want from everyone will they really make a differance? I doubt it very much cos u as the council have already decided what's gonna be happening regarding waste collections just makes you feel better when u get everyone's back up about the collections
25 June at 14:21 · Like · 2
Darran Powell They were right outside my house emptying at the time
25 June at 14:22 · Like
Torfaen Lucy Trembath Hi Lucy, we'd recycle them! they're good quality plastic and the bin manufacturer would take them back and make more bins out of them. The plans for the dedicated nappy collection service is for a fortnightly collection, which mirrors what we do now, and these would be placed in separate bags, which are heavy duty and used widely throughout the UK.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:22 · Like · 1
Sammie Humphreys Dedicated nappy collection, whats that? I have a 13 month old and she fills my bin a lot. Also the bin men missed a collection of my black bin, which I called about, and when it came to the next collection I had black bags I couldnt fit in my bin and I couldn't put it in a neighbours as they were full I don't know how reducing the bin size or collection is going to work. I recycle everything I can
25 June at 14:22 · Like
Lucy Trembath Thank you how do I go about getting a large green garden waste bin? We only have a small one and don't have enough room. I'm assuming it would be free?
25 June at 14:23 · Like
Torfaen Markus Cox Hi Markus, we read every post and the post yesterday on flytipping was for a specific purpose and that was to obtain information, which we obtained from the residents of Torfaen. We went back to those people who provided information and the other matters raised are being investigated.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:24 · Like · 1
Torfaen Laura Austen Hi Laura, the monthly collection is only one option. You can vote for one of the other options, which are still fortnightly, as part of the consultation. Can you PM us with your details and we'll sort delivery of your green bin and any boxes you need. The decision as to which option we go for hasn't been and will be made by councillors later this year. We will share with them the themes from these sessions and will also feed into the decision making process the results of the consultation so it's important you have your say.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:26 · Like
Ross Mutlow If we are to move to monthly collections, will this mean a reduction in council tax rates? Im sure alot of people will need to visit the refuse site to discard more waste.
25 June at 14:26 · Edited · Like · 2
Ken Davies Oh dear its the smiling assassins
25 June at 14:28 · Like · 1
Torfaen Darran Powell Darran, we have different crews for the different waste streams so the crew you may have seen may not have been the recycling crew. Either way, we'll look into it for you.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:28 · Like
Torfaen Sammie Humphreys Hi Sammie, we recognise that families with young children do need extra capacity because little ones can produce a lot of nappy waste, which is why we're looking to introduce a dedicated service. There's information in an earlier post on how that will work. If you have this service it will reduce what goes in your black bin. If you feel you recycle everything you can and your black bin will still be full every two weeks then PM us and we'll come visit you to see how else we can help you recycle.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:31 · Like
Torfaen Lucy Trembath Lucy, yes, it would be free. When you phone to order please let them know you want a 240L green bin not the smaller one. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:31 · Like · 1
Markus Cox Here's a reasonable question. I'm setting up a new food business here in torfean. Our food cartons are certified compostable along with all our packaging but it looks like card etc. It makes sense to put these in the green waste or brown bin. What would you suggest to our customers? Also the company behind the packaging has offered to assist and consult with torfean if your interested.
25 June at 14:32 · Like
Darran Powell They definitely were picking recycling and thanks for your help but the answer I was going to give is really go back to weekly it all used to run so smooth then monthly is asking for trouble
25 June at 14:32 · Like
Laura Austen Ty have just private messaged my address and now 3rd request for green bin and black boxes
25 June at 14:32 · Like
Torfaen Ross Mutlow Hi Ross, the monthly collection is just one option. there are two other options that remain fortnightly. There are no plans to reduce council tax as a result of these service changes; they are being made to avoid substantial fines.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:32 · Like
Illtyd Compton Caddick hi I have 6 children how will I cope?
25 June at 14:32 · Like
Torfaen Ken Davies Hi Ken! :o)
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:33 · Like
Torfaen Markus Cox Hi Markus, PM us and we'll get in touch to see what you're packing is and see how it can be recycled. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:34 · Like · 1
Stephen Tiger Robinson why ask people , council will do what they want any way
25 June at 14:35 · Like
Torfaen Darran Powell Darran, monthly is only one option there are two other options which are still fortnightly. Unfortunately, it's no longer that simple and we can't go back to weekly ... we're driven by EU directives and Welsh government policy.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:35 · Like
Torfaen Laura Austen Thanks Laura
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:36 · Like
Torfaen All, thank you for your comments so far. Please take a few minutes to have your say and take part in our consultation
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:36 · Like ·Remove Preview
Kay Southall Is the council looking at the content of large black wheelie bins to see what additional items can be recycled - other than nappies which you seem to have covered. I am guessing those who suggest the monthly collection isn't enough will know what items they are currently unable to recycle and therefore the wheelie is the only option. Personally I wouldn't wish the council to spend money on replacing current wheelie bins with smaller ones just to maintain a 2 weekly
collection. Preferred option for me is the large wheelie collection every 4 weeks
25 June at 14:36 · Like · 1
Torfaen Illtyd Compton Caddick Hi Illtyd. As a larger family you are entitled to extra capacity. Give us a call and we can talk you through this. Whatever option is chosen, that extra capacity will still be available for larger families.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:37 · Like
Lucy Trembath I can't get your online request form to work - it says error - and i can't find a number to ring. How do I go about private messaging you on here so you can get me one if that's possible. Thank you
25 June at 14:37 · Like
Markus Cox Ok torfean who should I get intouch with there?
25 June at 14:38 · Like
Torfaen Stephen Tiger Robinson Hi Stephen, the decision has not been made yet and will be made later this year. The results of the consultation will be fed into the decision making process.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:38 · Like
Torfaen Illtyd Compton Caddick Hi Illtyd, have just looked into this for you and you are on our double bin list. As mentioned previously, we will continue with providing extra capacity for larger families.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:39 · Like
Stephen Tiger Robinson sry they always do what they want ,so a waste of time asking
25 June at 14:39 · Like · 1
Cari Angharad Can you explain why polestyrine can't be recycled and why it was just thrown to one side? Also, I'm filling my black bin and more every week so ending having to hold back rubbish and I recycle everything that I can filling two black boxes a week!
25 June at 14:40 · Like
Torfaen Kay Southall hi Kay, thanks for your comment and please ensure you complete the consultation document for us. Unfortunately, we know that only 50% of residents recycle every week and reducing the black bin size, either physically or through frequency of collection, does drive up recycling. We need at least 80% of residents to by recycling every week if we are to avoid substantial fines.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:41 · Like
Torfaen Lucy Trembath Lucy, sorry about that. Gremlins. We've tried to PM you but can't due to your personal settings. If you look around the page you should see a button for message. Failing that, call 01495 762200.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:43 · Like · 1
Kay Southall It seems the focus should be on those who are not recycling at all or we may end up with a solution where those who make an effort to recycle are penalised and those who do nothing see no real impact. Not sure how this could be enforced in practice it's probably more about awareness with those households not doing their bit.
25 June at 14:43 · Like · 2
Torfaen Markus Cox If you enquire through Call Torfaen, it will be passed on to the relevant department, however, we can't guarantee that new litter bins will be fitted, because that will depend on funding being found from outside the Council.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:44 · Like · 1
Dazmondo Tyndall Two weeks you "forget" or have "had problems with vans" or just ignored my pleas to remove my recycling and then I find this on my back lane, and there is more of them! And that's just not collecting recycling! What happens when the bins go monthly? And last question, do you even care?
Right who thinks I'll get a reply?
25 June at 14:44 · Like · 2
Chris Marsh If take 'push' is for recycling, why are you encouraging waste by setting up nappy collections? Surely, these are the amongst the most wasteful of objects. Even as a working, single father I was able to cope with washing nappies rather than use disposables.
25 June at 14:44 · Like · 3
Torfaen Cari Angharad hi Cari, unfortunately, there is no market for recycling polystyrene at the moment. This will need to be placed into your black bin rather than your black box. Of course, if it ever can be recycled in the future, we will be happy to collect it. If you feel you are recycling everything then please PM us so we can come and visit. Very often we find that there is a waste stream that isn't being recycled and once we discuss that, residents find they can cope much better.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:46 · Like
Torfaen Kay Southall Kay, the law doesn't allow us to fine those who don't recycle. We do as much as we can to educate and raise awareness. If people are fully recycling now, they should have no problems in adopting any of these proposals. If they are not recycling, then these proposals will encourage them to do so.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:49 · Like
Rachel Williams To increase recycling, couldn't Torfaen have recycling bins in the towns like Cardiff has? would that make more sense to have these bins in towns rather than spending £££££££££ spent replacing black bins!
25 June at 14:49 · Like · 2
Chris Marsh Has there been an answer to the question about reducing taxes for hugely reduced services? And has anyone commented about the ever-increasing amount of what amounts to unpaid work that we are having to do? Sorting junk is work. Storing junk in a preponderance of ugly receptacles blights the look of my property and trying to make it look acceptable is work.
25 June at 14:51 · Like · 4
Torfaen Dazmondo Tyndall Hi Dazmondo, going monthly is only one option. There are two other options which remain a fortnightly collection. As mentioned previously we do sometimes get operational issues which affects our collections and we endeavour to catch up as soon as we can.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:51 · Like
Wayne Parry Just to cover all bins why is it that the bin collectors make such a mess if you walk down cocker avenue there is litter everywhere most of which is left by collectors. I Understand there are problems with up keep of lorries but incompetence is not expectable from your staff. We pay for a service and every week I'm cleaning up left waste. Before you implement new bins train your staff to do a proper job heaven knows it's not like it's brain surgery ! Many thanks
Wayne
25 June at 14:52 · Like · 4
Torfaen Chris Marsh Hi Chris, we do have a real nappy campaign and here's a link to the info on it on our website for any one reading these posts that's interested
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:53 · Edited ·Like · Remove Preview
Dazmondo Tyndall Yea but you don't catch up do you? Here's my recycling, in the big black bin cos your drivers are to damn lazy to collect!
25 June at 14:53 · Like
Torfaen Rachel Williams hi Rachel, before we introduced a kerbside collection service, we introduced bring sites so residents could take their recycling to these sites, which is very similar to the town centre bins you are talking about. What we have found is that as we enable residents to recycle more at the kerbside, the bring sites are being used less and less and we have had to withdraw some of the materials collected at these sites for this reason. We have in the past trialled recycling litter bins in towns but they were heavily contaminated with other refuse which meant the recycled material could not be used and we had to remove them.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:55 · Like
Gavin Evans So what are you planning on doing everytime a new house is built or a child is born. The amount of waste produced is constantly on the increase. Are you gonna keep downsizing the black bins every time the population increases? Get a grip torfaen employ someone with an iq who can deal with environmental issues sensibly.
25 June at 14:55 · Like · 1
Chris Marsh Thanks for the answer about nappies. But why advise the use of real nappies but then make it easier to use disposables. Surely, if it were made HARDER to dispose of these wasteful objects, this would (to use your word) 'encourage' people to use real ones?
25 June at 14:56 · Like · 4
Torfaen Chris Marsh Hi Chris, yes, we've answered the question about council tax and have highlighted that whichever option is chosen will not result in a reduction of service. In terms of effort, there is no difference in placing an item in a bin or a box or a bag. The kerbside system we operate is the Welsh Government preferred model as it has been proven to be the most sustainable, like the real nappy example we discussed earlier.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 14:58 · Like
Torfaen Wayne Parry Hi Wayne, we do work with the crews to improve performance and I undertake supervisory visits to see how they are working. They are instructed to pick up any items they drop. Sometimes, if residents don't use nets (which are free) items get blown out of black boxes. The next time you see this happen or experience it, please get in touch providing date/time/place so we can pinpoint the exact crew and look into it for you.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:01 · Like
Richard Dunn I have asked this question before but not had a response, if us house holders with larger families are now forced to take out excess non recyclable waste to the refuse tip, how does this help the figures or are Torfaen council using this strategy to "fudge the figures" seems to me those of us with large families and pets etc are being punished for the laziness of others who cannot be bothered to recycle. We recycle everything we can yet our black bin is dull at the end of the 2 weeks. It doesn't take a genius to work out that I will be forced to take waste to the refuse centre if any of your so called solutions are put into place.
25 June at 15:02 · Like
Samantha Lowery Just want to say thanks for the turn around on my brown food waste bin.
25 June at 15:02 · Like
Richard Dunn *full
25 June at 15:02 · Like
Rosemary Easter I understand that you are not allowed to fine people for not recycling but as someone has already said, those that do are being penalised. As it will cost a lot of money to replace the large wheelies why not give the small ones to those who don't use their black box? The bin men will know who they are. They will have to recycle then. I am not in favour of monthly collections or bags, especially in hot weather. Also, is it true you will charge for green bin collections?
25 June at 15:03 · Like · 2
Torfaen Dazmondo Tyndall Thanks for your details, we'll be in touch shortly.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:03 · Like
Torfaen Gavin Evans Gavin, if the population increases it is inevitable that waste will increase as more people live in the area. However, it is the ratio of recycling to other waste that we need to increase. We have done much work to reduce what we send to landfill such that we are currently the best Council in Wales, that is, we send the least amount of waste to landfill. However, the amount of waste that we are having to dispose of by other means (which cannot be classed as recycled) has to reduce and the amount we recycle increase.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:06 · Like
Torfaen All, thank you again for your comments so far. A quick reminder of the consultation link
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:10 · Like ·Remove Preview
Torfaen Richard Dunn Hi Richard, how many people are in your family? You may be entitled to extra help - let us know and we can look into this for you. if you are recycling everything, then there should be no need for you to take excess waste to the household waste recycling centre. If you think you are doing all you can and your black bin is still full then let's come and visit and see how else we can help you recycle. Finally, any waste taken to the HWRC, is counted within our figures. This link might be useful to see what can be recycled at the kerbside
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:11 · Edited ·Like · Remove Preview
Torfaen Samantha Lowery You're welcome.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:11 · Like
Torfaen Rosemary Easter Hi Rosemary, we are not currently looking at charging for collecting green waste. We need to take a consistent approach and we would be worried that those who are currently recycling (thank you for that!) will find that their excess capacity is taken up by others (as has been commented on previous Q&A posts) if we only roll out skinny bins (if that's what's agreed) to those who aren't recycling. Please ensure you add you comments about this into your consultation response.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:15 · Like
Rachel Williams It's seems to me that no matter what the ideas the residents out forward torfaen has made it's mind up! I for one has never seen recycling bins in the towns of torfaen and I think would be useful in places like cwmbran town centre with the amount of footfall there is
25 June at 15:16 · Like · 2
Richard Dunn Thanks that's interesting, 2 adults and 3 growing children, 2 cats and a chocolate lab, that's a fair amount of waste. We do however pay one of the highest rates of council tax in the borough. I really think you need to go back to the drawing board here... If you simply added all commercial premises to recycling rounds I would bet your target would be easily be met. Also you simply cannot say this is not a reduction in service as you will be collecting half the non recyclable waste you were previously. What about other options, maybe the whole thing should be put out to tender, bring some business sense into this discussion. We would probably get better value from it!
25 June at 15:16 · Like · 1
Ben Rapier Write back to WG, we accept the target but reject the fine.
25 June at 15:20 · Like
Torfaen Rachel Williams Rachel, we agree with the principle and did trial it in Blaenavon but as mentioned earlier, it wasn't very successful. We had them at the Big Event two weeks ago so we do use them when we can. Cwmbran Town Centre is run by Cwmbran Shopping.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:22 · Like
Ben Rapier Is Cwmbran Shopping exempt then?
25 June at 15:25 · Like
Torfaen Richard Dunn Richard, we do operate a trade waste service but companies are not obliged to use our service. We're still collecting the same amount of waste, we're just encouraging residents to place recycling waste in the recycling containers, which are collected weekly, rather than the black bin. The target is placed on the local authority so whomever delivered the service - council staff or private contractor - they will still be subject of the same targets.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:26 · Like
Chris Marsh Of course sorting involves work. Emptying everything into one bin is far less onerous than having to sift and sort every item into one of three (I refuse to use those vile food bins) receptacles.
25 June at 15:26 · Edited · Like
Chris Marsh Why not go back to a single weekly bin and open a recycling centre where everything is sorted centrally. It could be manned (and womanned) by those doing 'community payback' on those on holiday at Usk open prison.
25 June at 15:29 · Like · 1
Torfaen Ben Rapier Hi Ben, like your thinking! WG are of the view that the fines are necessary to ensure the targets are met. In England, where the fining regime is different, the recycling performance is much lower. to answer your question about Cwmbran Shopping, no they're not exempt but because the town centre is run by them and not the council, it would be a matter for Cwmbran Shopping to instal the bins.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:30 · Like
Richard Dunn I have 3 black boxes most weeks they are all full. I am clearly recycling! You are not encouraging people to recycle you are penalising those who produce more waste regardless of the recycled percentage. In weight terms I reckon I recycle around 60-75%
25 June at 15:31 · Like
Jan Felton There always seems to be a lot of confusion about what can be recycled and what can't. Why can't it be sorted through at the depot? This would alleviate the problem of things being left in the boxes, or just tipped out on the side which has been known to happen, to be blown all over the place in bad weather.
25 June at 15:32 · Like
Torfaen Chris Marsh Chris, if I think about what I do when I'm cooking, for instance, if I use a tin of bins, I rinse the tin and put it in a receptacle. That's no different then putting it in a black bin. I do it as I go along, I don't store them up to be ...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:34 · Like
Torfaen Richard Dunn thank you for being such an avid recycler. The offer to come and visit still stands and we'll see how we can help you. PM your details and we can arrange it.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:35 · Like
Ben Rapier Okay, since our input into this democratic process is limited to what you want us to say (people have proposed greater corporate responsibility eg Cwmbran Shopping and the big supermarkets who are chummy enough to let you use their car parks for road shows but you daren't ask them to reduce their waste). I prefer a smaller bin with same collections because the other options increase the risk of pests.
25 June at 15:36 · Like
Torfaen Jan Felton The kerbside sort is the Welsh Government's preferred method because it results in higher quality recyclate than any other method. We've previously posted links to what can be recycled and to some videos we've made by way of explanation. ...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:39 · Edited ·Like · Remove Preview
Richard Dunn I recycle glass, tins, food waste goes into compost,
cans, cardboard, plastic food containers, not meat ones due to hygiene. I appreciate the offer but I think you are missing the point. Regardless of how much I recycle, my black bin is rammed full on collection day
25 June at 15:39 · Like
Torfaen Ben Rapier thanks Ben, hope you've filled in a consultation form. Agree with you on the major corporations and the packaging they produce and we've addressed that previously. As a small council we're limited in the influence we can bring to bear on these larger organisation but we do support the Welsh Government in their endeavours to do so. If there was lest packaging, there would be less waste for everyone.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:39 · Like
Richard Dunn Nappy collections? Are they going to happen?
25 June at 15:40 · Like
Torfaen Richard Dunn Richard, let us help you. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:40 · Like
Wayne Parry Why go monthly ? The only reason is to save on money we pay for collections who is filling their pockets with our money ? If you can't cope with fortnight collections what makes you think you can get it right on a monthly basis?. Get things right befor...See More
25 June at 15:40 · Like · 3
Kerstin Adams Nott My point is there aren't enough dog poo bins around so instead of leaving the dogs poo I take it home and put it in my black bin if you leave the bins to every two
Weeks in this weather they are going to stink like hell so what do you suggest ?
25 June at 15:40 · Like · 2
Torfaen Thanks everyone for your comments today. Our session is coming to a close. We've another planned for tomorrow night between 6pm and 8pm. The consultation closes at the end of the month so please ensure your comments are recorded. See you tomorrow! Dana and Cynon
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:41 · Like
Torfaen Hi Wayne Parry Monthly collections are just one option. Please fill out the consultation to let us know which option you would prefer and include this feedback
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:45 · Like ·Remove Preview
Torfaen Hi Kerstin Adams Nott As long as your dog waste is bagged, it can be placed in any public bin, not just the dog waste bins.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 15:45 · Like · 1
Wayne Parry Very poor discussion pitiful responses to the Q&A another wasted discussion nothing changes but the rate of which we pay out !
25 June at 15:45 · Like · 1
Richard Dunn You can help me by leaving my service as it is or reduce my council tax accordingly to take into account my time and fuel costs for taking excess waste to the tip
25 June at 15:47 · Like · 1
Debra King Maybe if your recycling men took everything they should take it would make a difference - see the textiles we put in the black box for collection left loose on the pavement yesterday
25 June at 15:48 · Like · 1
Illtyd Compton Caddick Can you answer my question please. You've answered others.
25 June at 15:48 · Like
Nicola Smith I wondered if you'd considered providing residents with recycling bins instead of boxes? Then rather than separate the goods curb side, return them to a depot to be separated and sorted. Obviously bigger bin lorries such as the ones you use for collecting non-recyclables will be needed but it will allow residents to recycle the maximum items.
25 June at 15:53 · Like · 4
Andrew Robins As stated previously this is no a consultation as you have given the public 3 options. Why were we not consulted to decide these options?
25 June at 15:53 · Like · 4
Stephen Watkins This is a scam! Instead of increasing your recycling (as per government guidelines) your just fixing your figures by reducing the amount of household waste just so your recycle figures "look better" whilst actually not recycling any more!
25 June at 15:55 · Like · 7
Gareth Ponting Right I don't like any of the 3 options. Where can I select that option?
25 June at 15:56 · Like · 4
Stephen Watkins It's just a work around that's just shamefull!
25 June at 15:57 · Like
Gareth Ponting What I don't get is your asking people to do your job for you yet you refuse to lower the council tax. My black box is full (another 2 days before emptying if that's weekly) my black bin is full and I've already been up the tip with a black bag. What's your advice
25 June at 15:59 · Like · 1
Richard Dunn Stephen Watkins, my point exactly. Fixing the figures and the only losers here are the residents AS USUAL.
25 June at 16:05 · Like
Chris Marsh Torfaen: sorry for the delay. So, you rinse the tin then put it in 'a receptacle'. Fine. So extra work in washing rubbish. Then an extra 'receptacle' in the house as well as the numerous receptacles cluttering up the garden. Where do you keep these ex...See More
25 June at 16:11 · Edited · Like · 2
Torfaen Illtyd Compton Caddick Hi. We did reply to your query further up in the conversation.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 25 June at 17:04 · Like
Eliza Beth I have repeatedly asked about how much it costs to empty the fits bins every week and why are they still not recycling? Surely their system should be set up before you change everyone else's? It would make N impact on recycling if you enforced recycling in flats by giving them bins and the same collections as everyone else???
25 June at 17:07 · Like · 1
Jay Davies If the the collections move to monthly you say we can take waste to the waste centre but I have a van which you won't give me a tip pass for because the council tax is not in my name. How am I suppose to take extra rubbish if I can't get in the tip?
25 June at 17:14 · Like · 1
Karina Davis Perhaps the council should focus its time on trying to collect our rubbish on time rather than reducing our collections! For two weeks in a row our recycling wasn't collected until next day and last week our green bin wasn't collect until Monday (usua...See More
25 June at 17:26 · Like
Andrew King Who gives a rats ass what we Joe public think. The council will do what they want any way
25 June at 17:28 · Like · 1
Jay Davies This is how my bins were left last week. And it's Not a one off. It's constant. Ridiculous especially as the park outside my house waiting to pick colleagues up. As I live NEXT DOOR to the entrance of your depot.
25 June at 17:40 · Edited · Like
Jay Cox Wots the point you will never listen
25 June at 17:43 · Like · 1
Hughes Jessica ive got a question my bin gets filled up with mainly nappies now ive been told u would do seperate colection for nappies so how will that b carried out i put nappies in a black bag and there taken every week ? if so id have 2 keep that bag in my top fl...See More
25 June at 18:03 · Like
Stephanie King Can you please answer my unanswered questions from the last post please regarding cost implications ? Thank you
25 June at 18:07 · Like
Suzanne Parry-Price These sessions are a waste of time! I really don't know why they're smiling in the pic either, just makes me think tat they're happy to screw over the constituents of Torfaen!
25 June at 18:25 · Like · 1
Tony Allen Same answers all the time what a total waste of time and effort
25 June at 19:02 · Like
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
More
25 June at 19:31 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Barry Jones Link to the petition:
25 June at 19:31 · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
David Harris I would suggest you reduce your council tax charges, as you mention fines for being under percentage but I bet you get bonus for being on and over target!!!! Recycling targets my backside cost cutting and additional revenue from recycling
25 June at 20:47 · Like
Kerry Shephard watching the bin men throw my black box ,,broke my green bin (which had to be replaced ,my blue cardboard bag , blowing in the wind ,, i give up !!!! on recycling
25 June at 21:03 · Like · 1
Erin Roberts Try rewarding residents for recycling instead of punishing. I always recycle as much as possible because I believe it's my duty to help reduce landfill and save energy but I fully understand why some people don't want to bother. There's no incentive to...See More
25 June at 21:12 · Edited · Like
Leanne Vaux Blah blah blah I'm sure this is the council's response to all your feedback....do you really think they are going to change what they have in place. They just like to make you think your having a input, when in reality your not, they will do this no matter what!! And they will have some excuse ready when it doesn't work out.
25 June at 23:04 · Like · 2
Jay Cox If you think Torfean should go back to weekly emptying then like this comment
Yesterday at 04:13 · Edited · Like
Kerstin Adams Nott Thanks for your reply is there any chance we could have a bins put around coed eva especially the glam Rhyd and meyricks end .
Yesterday at 08:02 · Like
John Bon Joby Evans Torfaen currently recycles 52 per cent of its waste, meaning that if its performance remains at current levels it will face an annual fine of £600,000.
That is the reality. If we want Torfaen to just carry on regardless and incur a fine, which in essen...See More
Yesterday at 08:24 · Like
Carly Anslow No recycling collected Shakespeare rd today??? Wow you really are excelling yourselves Torfaen!
19 hours ago · Like
Craig Brennan Only today, I drove in to my court to see the recycling men leave a trail of plastic containers and bottles on the road. They were going to drive off until I stopped them and made them pick it all up. Oh, and they left plastics in my black box (and lot...See More
18 hours ago · Like
Bottom of Form
Date: 26th June 2014
Purpose of post: Final live Q&A session
Reach: 3,974
Comments on post: 187 (including council replies)
Shares: 2
[pic]
Torfaen
Good evening and welcome our final Facebook Q&A on our black bin consultation. We've got Dana Eynon, head of property, streetscene and waste, and Cynon Edwards, group leader for waste and streetscene, answering your questions for the next two hours.
The purpose of this session is to answer your questions about the current consultation on proposals for the future of black bin collections in the borough.
Given the excellent number of responses we have received during previous sessions, it may not be possible to reply to every query individually. However, we will do our best to address as many questions as possible over the next two hours.
Where the same issue is raised on multiple occasions, or could be answered with reference to this post, we may need to reply with a single response to all queries.
Please take a few moments to view the information below, and have your say by taking part in our consultation which you can do here
To recap:
From 2015/16, recycling targets in Wales, which are set by Welsh Government, will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, and councils will be fined in the region of £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below these targets.
All councils must reach recycling rates of 70 per cent by 2025.
The bulk of waste produced by the average household can now be recycled at the kerbside, and reducing the amount of general (black bin) waste collected has been proven to push up recycling rates.
The options we are asking you to consider are:
Maintaining a fortnightly collection with a replacement smaller black wheelie bin. The bin, which would hold 140 litres, would be supplied free of charge by the council
A fortnightly collection of two refuse bags per household. The bags would be provided free of charge by the council
Moving to a monthly collection using the existing 240 litre black wheelie bin
All options include provision for a dedicated collection for nappies for those who need it.
Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
Recycling collections, assisted collections, and medical collections will continue to operate as normal.
Your comments, along with those generated through the online consultation (which can be accessed here) will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process which closes at the end of the month.
This will then be presented to scrutiny at the end of July, which is open to the public to observe, and taken to full council later in the year, and it will be councillors who decide which option to take forward.
Top of Form
LikeLike · · Share · Edit · 17 hrs
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• Maria Barrett Challenger, Nia Thomas and Sara Weare like this.
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Lucy Jones A good way to save money would be fine the black box collectors everytime they throw a box and break it ??? As we are on our 3rd this year due the collection men
17 hours ago · Like · 3
Barry Jones If you are commenting on here please join this group:
There is a petition to show the strength of feeling on this and demand a change of approach from this lazy application of the Governments recycling commitment.
17 hours ago · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
Matt Watkins Are you actually going to listen to the people or just plough on with these changes regardless?
17 hours ago · Like · 5
Barry Jones
17 hours ago · Like · Remove Preview
Torfaen Lucy Jones Hi Lucy, these initiatives are not about saving money but about increasing our recycling rates. The next time you witness the crews throwing the boxes, please get in touch and give us date, time and place so we can address this with the specific crew. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Mike Harber I know you've mentioned that it's not the only option but if you go to a monthly collection there will be waste hanging around longer. As per the news today councils are partly responsible for the increase in rats with reduced collections, these rats are also becoming immune to poisons and being called "super rats"
What would tcbc do to ensure that these rats don't increase in the area?
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Debra King When recycling is done, are your operatives meant to put back the boxes etc where they find them? Also, does the guidance on your website say that textiles can be collected from the black box, if they are placed loose in that box? Please see below attached photographs. You will see that the boxes have been left in the road, and the textiles i.e. a pair of my husband's trousers, has been left on the pavement. Please explain why the operatives that work in Coed Camlas New Inn cannot follow simple instructions? Maybe if they did that would go part way to solving the problem
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Torfaen Matt Watkins Hi Matt, the point of the consultation is to find out which option of the three would be preferred by the public. We appreciate that not everyone is happy to make the change, however, we have to do something to increase our recycling rates and the three options presented will each get us there. So we want to know of the three, which one people would prefer, so yes, we are going to listen and we will present everyone's comments and their preferred view to members when they make their decision. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Lindy Williams You need to recycle a wider range of plastics etc, a fortnight ago I only had half black bin full, got home to bags of recycling plastics being thrown on pavement out of black box.
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Kayleigh Boyland & still no businesses or schools being told they can recycle which would increase recycling massively!
17 hours ago · Like
Maria Hopkins Hi. Will the nappy bin waste be recycled or still go to landfill? And can you put used wipes in it too. Also, I don't think we should go down the green bag system for standard waste. Too much of an attraction for vermin.
17 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Mike Harber Hi Mike, if the monthly collection is determined then the waste will be stored in the existing black wheelie bins so there shouldn't be anything to attract rats. As you say, it's only one of three options so if this is not your preferred option, please pick one of the other two. Don't forget that food waste is stored in the lockable brown caddy and collected weekly. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Mike Kenworthy Hi. I live on a Farm in Croesyceiliog. When you introduced food caddies we were not included. We formally put food in green bin but this collection ceased in winter. We enquired and we're told to put it in general Black bin waste. The same with cardboard - no blue bag collection. Given the amount of packaging and cardboard sleeves etc we fill 2 -3 black wheelies per fortnight. Can I please dis pose of my own waste in New Inn and be exempted from the charge as none of your options suit. Black bags would be ripped open by animals. Smaller bins would be overfull as would monthly collection of our present bin.
17 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Deborah King Hi Deborah, yes, the crews are supposed to return the boxes to the correct address. If this isn't happening then the next time it happens, please tell us date, time and location. Textiles need to be bagged before being put out.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Edited · Like· Remove Preview
Andrew Robins Why haven't you emptied the black box's on shakespeare rd today? Such a unorganised service! Will I get a reason for this?
17 hours ago · Like
Alison Preece I don't like the black bag idea. This would just make or streets dirty and full of litter. The recycling collectors struggle to empty the boxes. I would agree to a smaller fortnightly bin!
17 hours ago · Like
Illtyd Compton Caddick Hi I have 6 children how am I being treated the same as a family of 2. A response would be appreciated.
17 hours ago · Like · 3
Torfaen Lindy Williams Hi Lindy, we now take a very wide range of mixed plastics. Here's the link to what we now collect. Can you give us your address so we can look into the other matter for you? Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Nigel Dowsell If this is about recycling rates how come yesterday I was told to throw everything in my boot into the household waste skip at New Inn depot although I sorted it into wood and waste?
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Torfaen Kayleigh Boyland Hi Kayleigh, as we've mentioned previously on these posts, we do offer a recycling service to businesses and schools however, they are not obliged to use us. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Ken Davies You will address with crew, so why havent you been doing that before now? And if you have they have not taken any notice of you
17 hours ago · Like
Melanie Vale I think to make this work without increasing fly tipping, there needs to be clear information about what can be recycled and in what box or bag given to everyone, including the people collecting the recycling. There have been so many confusing rules ( separate bag/clear bag/no bag) that this can be hard to figure out.
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Hayley Bristow-matthews I recycle everything and my black bin is full within a week... none of the 3 options are going to work... its only going to increase the risk of fly tipping massively. ..
17 hours ago · Like · 3
Chris Tew Joke council trying to save money that the man in the street will never see ! The fly tipping will go through the roof come on Torfaen get real !
17 hours ago · Like
Rachel Harris ive ordered black boxes and blue bags and in the end had to phone up ranting to get them delivered after 3 months of waiting maybe if you provide people with these items faster people would meet you half way there the recycling men throw the black boxes and break them i think instead of punishing everybody maybe make more effort to make people who dont recycle at all do it . i recycle everything and am still struggling with a normal size bin il never manage with a smaller one and as none of my neighbours recycle our street will be like a rubbish dump with maggots everywhere the new options are pathetic get off your backsides and enforce the recycling and stop punishing everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Hayley Bristow-matthews Will our council tax be reduced when this happens? I hope so!
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Melanie Vale I personally think that if I have to choose an option it would be the monthly collection. Replacing with a smaller bin will cost a fortune (how do we recycle old bin?) and bin bags just get ripped open.
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Tom Elliott Hi, i'm here for the meeting...but sadly i'm not wearing shirt and tie..............................because the ***** bin men collected the one with my spare uniform on while i went for a wizz!!
17 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Maria Hopkins Hi Maria, currently, there is nowhere we can send nappies to be recycled in Wales and the outlets in England don't meet Welsh Government standards. We've introducing a separate collection service to allow for extra capacity. The good news is that when an outlet is found, we are already collecting them separately and can send them on to that outlet for recycling. They are currently disposed of, but not necessary landfilled. However, we can't count them toward recycling at the moment. A bag option is only one option so you can choose one of the other two. If everyone is recycling what they can, putting food in the caddy and tins etc in the box, there shouldn't be anything in the bag to attract pests and certainly those authorities who have gone down the bag route have not reported any specific problems in this regard. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like · 1
Melanie Vale I agree with the previous poster about being told to put everything in the general waste skip at new inn - happens all the time
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Matt Watkins Thanks for your reply. It appears that the correct answer to my question in No. You are not listening to the public when they want to keep the service as it is.....
Will you be offering free cleaning of bins with the monthly option as I dread to think what sort of bacteria will grow in bins and especially on a hot summers day
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Ken Davies Answer me this and many more i put my bins out and everything else onto my path where its suppose to go, why do you think the binmen then empty them then put it all in the middle of the drive, so when we roll up in the car we got to get out move to get on the drive
17 hours ago · Like · 5
Kayleigh Boyland The owner of the business I work at has asked to recycle bags and bags each week and was told there were no facilities available for us to do so. Yet you charge to take it away as general waste. Why are the schools not obliged too? Thousands of childrens recyclable items being thrown away plus the children are not being taught to recycle!
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Debra King Let me see, you changed the guidance on 16th June so now we have to put clothes in bags but we're not allowed to bag paper which flies all over the place? And yes I do now have a net at last! Also, my neighbours already fill their black bin and leave a black bag on top of their bin which the magpies attack and strew rubbish everywhere - how is a smaller bin or less frequent collection going to fix that?
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Ken Davies Any chance you guys can get a new photo done as its just a false looking smile
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Becky Morse Can you confirm that your council buildings recycle..... I know of at least one that has no recycling facility
17 hours ago · Like · 3
Torfaen Mike Kenworthy Hi Mike, there are a few outlying properties that aren't currently on the recycling rounds and we're reviewing that this year, along with those remaining flats that aren't. If you take domestic household waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, there is no charge. There is only a charge for non domestic waste, eg, waste that classed as commercial.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Andrew Robins Hi Andrew, we are aware it has been missed due to operational issues. Please leave the box out and it will be collected.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Hayley Bristow-matthews I have flies and maggots in mine after 2 weeks and it stinks... can you imagine a hot summer month... The street will be buzzing
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Gareth Jolliffe I have heard that the council has a preference to the 2 black bag option that operates in Monmouthshire. My concern would be around the litter created by dogs and cats ripping the bags open. I feel like we are going backwards after having wheelie bins in torfaen for over 20 years - have you any comments?
17 hours ago · Like · 2
Torfaen Alison Preece Hi Alison, please participate in the consultation. Here's a link.
Torfaen council is currently undertaking a review of its black bin collections i... See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Edited · Like· Remove Preview
Illtyd Compton Caddick Thanks for your reply as usual. Council waste of time. No wonder you have no respect.
17 hours ago · Like
Maria Hopkins Thank you for your response. We used to live on Mitchell Terrace and the green bags were introduced there. Unfortunately, a number of residents did not recycle the food waste and it led to the bags being ripped open. I think the recycling issue is nationwide. is there any chance all Welsh councils could liaise and push back to central government to make it the law to recycle? It works in Germany.
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Margred Ranby What allowances will there be for larger families?? We are a family of 6 2 adults 4 children and are currently recycling everything we can to the point where my black box is over flowing every week and we still fill our current bin every 2 weeks
17 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Illtyd Compton Caddick Hi Illtyd, as we responded to you yesterday, you are already on our double bin list and extra capacity will continue to be provided to you under whatever new system is chosen because you are a large family.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 17 hours ago · Like
Sam Hall Am concerned about contamination. Torfaen, and many news outlets have said not to wash chicken as it spreads bacteria. Yet we MUST was the containers it is packaged in for recycling. Surely there is the same level of contamination. What do you suggest as surely this is the same for other poultry/meat?
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Lynda Clarkson Inconsistency seems to be an issue. What plastics are taken? New Inn tip mixing recyclables with landfill. Textiles being left in black boxes. family size not considered unless more than 6 in household. Collections not happening on the right days. Businesses not made to recycle. People being told to put recyclables into the black bin. Flats not having recycling facilities. Is this all the fault of residents not recycling enough? This comment is meant to be constructive criticism Torfaen. Please, please take note of what people are saying, it matters to us as well as you. We pay the Council Tax after all.
17 hours ago · Like · 1
Chris Tew They forgot the black box on Snatchwood rd this week ! Tut
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Nigel Dowsell Hi Nigel, I can only assume because none of the material was recyclable. The site has targets to reach and they're penalised if they don't meet them so it's not in their interest to not recycle the waste residents take in.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Hayley Bristow-matthews I think they already know what the plans are but they have to ask our opinions anyway so it looks like they have asked... we're all wasting our time..
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Ken Davies hi Ken, we have been addressing performance and continue to do so by various means. Performance has improved over the last year. We will always get operational issues due to vehicles etc and we will address these as and when they occur.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Leanne Harris Just a comment if I start to get rats and maggots on my path due to using bags that will tear where do I send the rats if I catch them ??? The council office that decided to take the bin away ??? It's not clean to have bags our streets will look as bad a cardiff !!!
16 hours ago · Like
Gareth Jolliffe Please can you comment on the policy of public buildings and schools being out of scope for mandatory recycling - I find it farsical where the school children are really encouraged to recycle and have assembly visits off Dan the Can when the school then sends tonnes of recycleable waste to landfill. Is it because the contract for waste transfer is not with Torfaen CBC and as a result not included in Torfaens recycle targets ?
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Ami Rebecca Hughson Black bag idea is completely ridiculous, if you put it out dogs, cats rats etc will be straight in them. I wouldn't want to be letting the rubbish build up in the house. I agree with a post above if they are left monthly/four weekly then there will be flies and maggots all over the place. Its bad enough as it is now in the hot weather.
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Melanie Vale Hi Melanie, we try and provide this information; here's a link.
When we recently introduced the mixed plastics recycling, we delivered a leaflet to every home and ran articles in Torfaen Talks, social media and regular media.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Edited · Like· Remove Preview
Barry Jones Hi, has the almost complete dismissal if these proposals and the utter negativity expressed during these consultations been reported to your superiors?
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Hayley Bristow-matthews, Chris Tew Hi both, the experience of other authorities who have done this is that flytipping does not permanently go up. Hayley, give us your details and we'll come chat with you to see how we can help you recycle more. Council tax will not be reduced.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like · 1
Margred Ranby Bags aren't a good idea unless the aim is to make money it's £30 to call council out for rats
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Rachel Harris Hi Rachel, we can't enforce recycling, the law doesn't allow it. The next time you witness the crews throwing boxes, report it. If you don't think you can cope, let us come visit you to see how we can help you - those who have taken us up on this offer (and there's not been many) have found that we have helped them and they would be able to cope.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Rachael Peake Williams Can you start at the top end with supermarkets by supplying and using smaller packaging for most good sold ???
16 hours ago · Like · 2
Torfaen Melanie Vale Hi Melanie, if members choose the skinny bin option, the bigger old bins will be recycled. If monthly is your preference, please say so on the consultation. It's hard to comment about your experience at the HWRC without know what you took in.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Ryan Beech I know Andrew CoolerthanGemma Hughes and it's all lies he doesn't work hard!!!!
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Tom Elliott Hi Tom. Casual attire is fine. :o)
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Mark Watson In our view, keeping the service as it is will not achieve the recycling targets we need to, hence making the change. The final decision rests with member and will be decided later this year. If you don't want to go monthly, then choose one of the other options.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Jenny Lou Ellsum Just wondered how long recycling boxes take to come after ordering online? Ordered mine roughly a month ago. Using a plastic box but it's not big enough so need a proper one. I've really struggled with the whole bin thing with 6 of us and finally managed to have it not overflowing by sorting recycling, doing tip runs and composting. Fortnightly collection work but it takes a lot of sorting and a lot of people just don't have the time and space at home.
16 hours ago · Like
Leanne Harris This council is pathetic money should be spent elsewhere not supplying different size bins in ten years we are gonna end up with 5 boxes 4 bins 3 bags and a loads of insects and rats in my garden that I pay money to enjoy ! Not to look at all my recycling can I keep it all week on the path the council path ??? Reply pls
16 hours ago · Like
Chris Marsh I wonder how long it will be before the green bin collection is cut to once a month (and Summer months only).
16 hours ago · Like
Barbara Mayo I, m all for recycling and have reduced my blackbin use by 75% , but the though of going back to plastic bags horrifies me
How do we protect them from being ripped open and attacked by animals ?
For me personally I would prefer the smaller bin option fortnightly
16 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
Ken Davies They been doing it for yrs and still do is it just one street you moniter ? I will film it on wednesday just to show you
16 hours ago · Like
Maria Hopkins I'm probably going to get lynched by a number of people here, but hey ho. I don't think Torfaen Council is being given a choice on this by central or the Welsh Government. The measures that they are considering introducing and having a consultation on are ones, which are used across the UK.
I have had my fair issue of broken boxes, food waste and recycling across my drive, missed collections, half emptied bins etc. Also, I have had a complaint about missed bag collection on Mitchell Terrace ignored on 3 occasions although it was processed through the complaints division...
Anyway, it's choosing the lesser of 3 evils. I vote big black bin to stay and monthly collection. Most cost effective, less pests and more space for general waste.
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Becky Morse Again, can you confirm that all council properties recycle. I'm screwed whatever option is chosen so I have no preference. However, if I need to be affected then I would like to have reassurance that you yourselves are doing all you can too
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Ken Davies Hi Ken, the crews are instructed to return your containers to your property so apologies if it's not always where you'd like it to be. And sorry if you don't like our smile. :o)
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Kayleigh Boyland Hi Kayleigh, bags of which type of material? We regularly run sessions in schools to educate children about recycling. The schools are not obliged to use us because they have delegated budgets which means they can choose how they spend that money. They are effectively like individual little businesses. But where schools have asked for a service, we do provide it.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Tanya Richards Will the recycling boxes and bags be made bigger I have two boxes and a neighbour allows me to use his blue bag as he is on his own and doesn't fill his, I struggle as it is and on a Tuesday evening before collection I run around my neighbours ( with their permission) seeing if they have room for my extras in black bins and recycle boxes, the blue bags are useless because they allow the cardboard to get wet and then they leave it in the bag and won't take it
16 hours ago · Like
Ken Davies Lets just all go for the bag option it will be fun like living in a third world country
16 hours ago · Like
Karen Edwards Yet again I will ask, why can't you change to monthly, keep the big bin saving the cost of them and,,,,,,,here it is,,,,,get rid of the black boxes and give us proper bins for recycling?? Why?? I would honestly not mind going monthly if this was done, pretty sure this would be a good solution instead of those incredible poorly thought out black boxes!
16 hours ago · Like · 4
Andrea Harding I vote large black once a month .... But the recycling black bins, need to be replaced with something more effective !.. I've got 1 black bin to recycle and now you take everything I find myself putting it all seperate in bags for life !... Which isn't the answer either !.. Plus I balance bags on top
Of the bin then they get blown everywhere!.. Yes I have a net on it and it's still a rubbish (excuse the pun) container !!!!!
16 hours ago · Like · 2
Torfaen Deborah King Hi Deborah, textiles have always had to be bagged and this has not changed and we've always asked residents not to bag recyclates but to place them loose, with a net, in their black box. It sounds as though your neighbours are not recycling and are therefore putting food and other materials that attract the birds. If these neighbours are unable to manage with the smaller bin, we will visit them and provide them with recycling containers so they can put food etc in the right bin.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Becky Morse Hi Becky, yes they do. Which one do you believe doesn't have this facility.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Hayley Bristow-matthews Hayley, food in the caddy is collected weekly so it won't need to wait for two weeks.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Tracey Gates It would be nice to have a bug black bin, mine was taken 6 weeks ago by the bin men, and they now want me to pay...... Ha I don't ***** think so if it was my fault then fair enough but it not.
16 hours ago · Like
Ken Davies No karen thats a poor solution if there is four ppl in the house, we fill our weekly and i make a weekly trip to the tip, so monthly wouldnt suit most famillys
16 hours ago · Like
Ken Davies Just leave it as it is save all the hassle, the smell, the mess and the flytipping as there will be!!
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Gareth Jolliffe Hi Gareth, we don't have a preferred option, any one will get us where we need to be from a recycling perspective and that's why we're consulting. The experience elsewhere is that bags aren't ripped open because food should be in the caddy and any other materials that would attract animals should be in the box. Please fill in your consultation to this effect.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Erin Roberts RE an earlier comment about schools and businesses. I believe Torfaen do offer recycling collections for schools and businesses at a cost which seems a bit silly considering that schools are paid for by tax payers money already. Also, schools do teach children about recycling and many schools have eco committees too. So maybe Torfaen should consider allowing schools to recycle for free. There's an awful lot of paper, cardboard and plastic milk bottles in school, all of which would help to reach those targets! The children are really passionate about recycling too!
16 hours ago · Like · 4
Torfaen Maria Hopkins Hi Maria, good point! Local Governments have fed back in this regard but until this enacted, we have to do something.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Carol Knight If you want to know what black bin waste smells like after four weeks, please feel free to visit Clover court in Ty-Canol. I've just had the delightful experience of rotting rancid waste that has been in the black bin for four weeks. This is due to the bin not being emptied last round two weeks ago and only half emptied this week. The rotting waste has solidified in the bottom and it seems the refuse collectors do not bother to check the bin is emptied. When attempting to report a missed bin on the website we are told that you don't return to collect black bins! Well thanks for the service... Maybe after six weeks there will be a hope that we can progress to an empty bin? You'd all be welcome to come and smell for yourselves...a delightful scent that will descend across torfaen with the inevitable four week collections. Ridiculous
16 hours ago · Like · 3
Ken Davies And will there be a reduction in council tax
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Thank you for all of your comments so far. We are working through them as quickly as we can.
Please take a moment to fill read through our consultation proposals and have your say here
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like ·Remove Preview
Torfaen Margred Ranby Hi Margred, we make allowance for larger families and will continue to do this. If you're struggling then get in touch and we'll come and have a chat.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Karen Edwards We had three people and never filled ours ken, but filled my two black boxes to overfill, sorry I have to disagree with yourself. We need proper bins for recycling if they want it done to the level they expect.
16 hours ago · Like · 3
Torfaen Sam Hall Hi Sam, it's ok to rinse things in the sink provided you wipe around the area once you have as part of your normal kitchen hygiene routine. another tip, is to use your old dish washing water.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Lynda Clarkson Thanks for your comments Lynda. Most of these items have already been answered in earlier posts both today and in previous sessions. We are listening to what people are saying and we will feed all comments into the decision making process. A list of what can be recycled in each container is here
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Edited · Like· Remove Preview
Ken Davies I use everything bar the caddy i have never used it
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Leanne Harris Hi Leanne, bags is only option - please choose another one if bags is not for you.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Gareth Jolliffe Mandatory targets for schools would be set by Welsh Government. We do offer services and Dan Can works hard for us in schools alongside other initiatives.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Lynne McRae How about people who do not have the food bin or cardboard bag service as the council wont provide it and have 5 in their family how are meant to manage with either option. We already take our cardboard to a recycling point but still have to use an elderly neighbours black bin. Do we get a council tax rebate as we are not getting the same service as everyone else?
16 hours ago · Like
Danielle Faulkner I think it would be a cheaper alternative to swop bins. Use the big black bin to put mixed recyclables in rather than boxes and use the smaller green bin for non recyclable rubbish. One concern for me is rabbit and guinea pig hutch material. It goes in the green bin during the summer but I have to put it in the black bin during the winter when green bin collection ceases. Any ideas?
16 hours ago · Like · 3
Torfaen Ami Rebecca Hughson Hi Ami, please complete a consultation questionnaire and if you prefer the skinny bin, please state this.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones Hi Barry, nice to talk to you again. They will be. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Margred Ranby The proposals are not linked to budget savings but to reaching recycling targets.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Maria Hopkins Fortnightly green bin collections over the winter would be good.
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Rachael Peake Williams Hi Rachel. We agree with you. Torfaen council can not influence major industry but Government can and we support them in their endeavours to do this. In the meantime, we have to do something to increase our recycling.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Joanna Pugh Can I ask what do we do with our dog waste? We have a very large malamute that poos 3 times a day and I use a shovel to pick it up. I can fill a black bag in less than a week? Times that by 4 my bin would stink. Its bad enough now with 2 weeks worth.
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Jenny Lou Ellsum Hi jenny, we can provide you with more boxes, they normally take around two weeks to deliver. PM us your details and we'll look into it and get you some more if you need them.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Jenny Lou Ellsum also, if you are a family of six, we can help you with extra capacity.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Leanne Harris We agree that money is better spent on services, which is why we are trying to avoid substantial fines that could be avoided if all residents recycled as much as they could.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Chris Marsh Hello again Chris, there are no plans to reduce the green collection further.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Barbara Mayo Hi Barbara, please fill in the consultation questionnaire to this effect. Thanks
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Andrew Robins Why dont the council lay off some of their staff to save money, streamline the business. Im sure they have alot of 'deadwood' getting paid big bucks. Instead of the public always taking the brunt! You could start by outing a few of the councillors I see on the live webcam as the 1970's way they conduct these meetings is comical. Get your business running properly before you make cuts to the public.... I for one will be using the freedom of information act continually to show the public the neanderthal way in which you do business until we get rid of these out of date useless councillors.
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Maria Hopkins Hi Maria, Thanks for your comments. Please ensure you complete your consultation questionnaire accordingly.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Becky Morse Hi Becky, we introduced recycling in our offices some time ago.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Mike Harber In your office doesn't include all tcbc sites and offices
16 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Tanya Richards Tanya, you can have as many recycling containers that you need so if you need more boxes, let us know. You don't need to fill your neighbours'! There are flaps on the cardboard bags which help keep the cardboard dry.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Danielle Faulkner Referring to schools and recycling.... Not enough plastics collections and the use of polystyrene containers in the canteen. This needs to be improved.
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Ken Davies Monmouth operate a bag system. And there are two other options you could go for.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth once again can you confirm WHY these changes are being considered when you havent even sorted ut how to recyce from the blocks of flats that are still currently getting weekly collections with no recycling collections?
16 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth And Torfaen? the flaps DO NOT keep cardboard dry!! are you kidding?
16 hours ago · Like · 4
Torfaen Karen Edwards; Andrea Harding hi both, thanks for your comments. to put all recycling in a bin would mean we couldn't kerbside sort which is the Welsh Government's preferred method. Rather than use bags Andrea, you can additional boxes.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Tracey Gates If we damage or destroy the black wheelie bin, we replace it free of charge. The charge for delivery was introduced last year as Council policy.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Gareth Jolliffe Dana/Cynon - really appreciate the response and also how difficult a task this is but I think we can summarise that what you have here and to all intense and purposes are "the converted" residents who do recycle as much as possible including trips to the New Inn plant when required. If the views you are receiving here are in the majority saying "we appreciate the requirement but the likelihood will be litter from ripped open bags, fly tipping and environmental health issues from rotting waste" do you not think these are valid points? I know TCBC have 3 options and will choose one but there are so many good points being made here and in previous events that maybe out of scope of what you are asking and be touching on the wider services , but are all valid.
15 hours ago · Edited · Like · 5
Torfaen Erin Roberts Hi Erin, the recycling service to schools is currently free but we have to cover costs for disposal of waste.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Chris Marsh Thank you for your good-humoured responses.
16 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Carol Knight Hi Carol, monthly collections are only one option - you can go for one of the other two. What material is rotting? if it's food, it should be going in the brown caddy, which is collected weekly.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 16 hours ago · Like
Tracey Gates Torfean I rang and they said it wasn't there so I'm without a bin and they want me to pay, through no fault of mine
16 hours ago · Like
Barry Jones Indeed, your politeness and good humour are the only positive attributes to this process
15 hours ago · Like
Sam Fletcher My black bin has been taken by some one today is it right that I have to pay for a replacement bin?
15 hours ago · Like
Jane Roynon Hi both, When will the results of the poll be published and when will the changes happen?
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Lynne McRae, Hi Lynne, there are not that many properties now that do not have the service and as mentioned earlier, we are reviewing that this year, in advance of any black bin changes.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Danielle Faulkner Hi Danielle, as mentioned previously, this would mean we couldn't operate a kerbside sort system, which is the Welsh Government's preferred option. Top marks for putting the hutch material in your green bin in the summer! yes, you will have to continue to put it in your black bin in the winter, or you could take the material to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Maria Hopkins Thanks Maria. We suspended these services in the winter because there was very little to collect and it was very costly to do so. Since the suspension the council saved around £70,000 per year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Carol Knight Cat litter, dog waste?
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Joanna Pugh Hi Joanna, that's a lot of poo! Monthly collections are only one option.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Elliott Whiting Hi torfaen, may I ask you to take a trip to ebbw vale where they currently have the bag system & watch them on collection days. The place is like a tip. I've witnessed the collectors on numerous occasions collecting them from the houses & throwing them onto the road for the truck to pick up. Rubbish everywhere. If it has to be 1 of the options it HAS to be the fortnightly smaller bin.
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Andrew Robins Hi Andrew, we reduce the staff base every year as a result of budget cuts. To reduce the number of councillors would require through law a lengthy boundary review.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Mike Harber Hi Mike, which ones do you think do not recycle?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Danielle Faulkner Hi Danielle, we can encourage them not to use such items but we cannot direct. Are you on a governing body or do you have children in school? Could you encourage them too?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Carol Knight Why can't Torfaen extend the number of items they recycle to meet recycling targets? I am an avid recycler but still have a black bin full of matter that you don't kerbside collect...
15 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Eliza Beth Hi Eliza, we've answered your first question earlier and in the consultation documents. The flap will keep it mostly dry and we do still collect it. The consultation document can be accessed here
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Edited · Like
Torfaen Gareth Jolliffe As previously mentioned, we will be sharing all comments with members. And where comments are made not directly related to the consultation, we do deal with them outside of the FB sessions.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth cardboard turns to mush which spills over the pavements, they do NOT scrape it up! The flap only works partly and only if the bag is not full
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Barry Jones; Chris Marsh Thanks both! :oD
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Sam Fletcher Sam, give us your details and we'll investigate to see if the machine ate your bin. If it did, we will give you a free replacement. If not, you will need to pay a charge for a new one and we'd encourage you to personalise your new bin. We only charge a fee for replacement black wheelie bins, all other containers are free.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth Torfaen I have checked back at the last message session where I asked the question re the flats. and see NO ANSWER there? Maybe you could copy and paste it here for everyone to see?
15 hours ago · Edited · Like
Torfaen Jane Roynon Hi Jane, the results of the consultation are going to Scrutiny Committee on 23rd July so we will feed back the numbers of votes for each option. We will also feed back all comments made. The decision is likely to be made later this year and it will be implemented early in 2015.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen @Carol Knight Carol, there is very little now that you can't recycle at the kerbside. Here's a link to what can now be recycled. There should be very little going into your black bin these days.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Edited · Like· Remove Preview
Charles Crosby Hello. Before changing the way collections are dealt with would it be possible to have the crews figure out how to do the current ones with common sense?
Today in heather court the collection crew decided to throw across our garden the items from the ...See More
15 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
Torfaen Elliott Whiting Hi Elliott, I was there this morning but I didn't see them collect. Please put your preference on your consultation questionnaire.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like · 1
Carol Knight Do feel free to come along and inspect!!!!!!!
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Eliza Beth Eliza, we've previously answered the question on flats on a number of occasions tonight and on previous sessions, sorry you missed it. Only half the flats in Torfaen do not have a service and we are addressing that this year.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Carol Knight No link included but am already aware thanks. How about clothing, cooking oils, plastics from inside cereal boxes, crisp packets... To name a few...please advise
15 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth are you addressing it BEFORE the other changes....? If those flats that do not have a service did, and you cut their collections to what everyone else currently has, you would save a lot.... and I have been through the posts page after page doing text search and still can't find your answer!!
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen @charles crosby. Hi Charles, the items you mention should have been collected if they were in your black box (not bin) except the coat hanger. We'll look into it for you. Can you PM us a contact number so we can get back to you on it.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Erin Roberts Well then sign us up please! As long as it's free! We are already having to tighten our purse strings but would definitely recycle if the service is free! Why aren't all schools recycling if it's free???
15 hours ago · Like
Kate Davies I agree with Elliott if it has to be one of those options then it has to be the fortnightly smaller wheely bin.
Is there anywhere I can get free bags for the brown food waste bin (some of my friends in newport get them for free)?
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Carol Knight Carol, we will do. Please PM your full address. And the earlier link has now been added - give us a chance! :o)
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Charles Crosby Post edited. It was the BOX not the BIN.
15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Eliza Beth Eliza, we will roll this out before the changes. however, this alone will not achieve the recycling targets we need because we have estimated it will only increase our recycling by 1%.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Erin Roberts Erin, which school are you?
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like
Torfaen Kate Davies Kate, we don't provide food caddy liners but if you think it will help you to recycle more food, then please mention this on your consultation questionnaire and we will feed this in (no pun intended) to the decision making process.
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Like · 2
Eliza Beth Kate Davies when they first brought the caddies in they told us they wouldnt supply bags free but it was more desireable to use NO WRAPPINGs, when they realised this was problematic due to food getting stuck in, they back tracked and told us we should wrap the food in newspaper or buy bags ourself. It gets costly when you use more than one caddy a week and use one compostable bag a day
15 hours ago · Like · 1
Carol Knight Sorry this isn't a consultation... Dress it up as much as you like... Another amazing dictation from Torfaen..no reply needed.
15 hours ago · Like · 1
Charles Crosby Hi. No need to call me back regards the recycling issues in heather court today. Your time is better spent talking to the crews not me. Thank you for acknowledging the issue.
15 hours ago · Like · 1
Torfaen Thanks again everyone for your posts. We managed to keep up! This is the last of our live sessions related to the consultation. As has been said previously, we will be feeding all of your comments into the reports for the decision making process and...See More
Commented on by Chris Latham · 15 hours ago · Edited · Like· 1 · Remove Preview
Erin Roberts Could you clarify what you mean please? Which services are free for schools? I was led to believe that we have to pay to have recycling collected. Is that correct? If so, surely making it free would be better than getting fined for not reaching targets.
15 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth 1% maybe on recycling, but how much will you alos have saved by reducing the weekly collections.... could use this extra cash to provide better recycling bins for cardboard!
15 hours ago · Like
Kate Davies Have put it on my consultation questionnaire. Thanks.
15 hours ago · Like
Eliza Beth I for one understand the need for recycling. I DO recycle. The problem many of us have with this process is that many of us believe it is a done deal. It is a rushed process that will cause a lot of problems. Maybe the council should have lobbied the w...See More
15 hours ago · Like · 3
Erin Roberts Totally agree! It's the way we're consulted, or really not consulted. Doesn't make any of us feel valued.
14 hours ago · Like
Julia Haskins Tremlett We are not....erin never will be...its all about money...always is...stay as we are i say...thats bad enough but the options they given are worse....i dont know what planet theyre on i really dont.
14 hours ago · Edited · Like
Laura Magor there are two people in my house and we use 1 black bin bag a week and recycle everything possible ! , you can easily get 7-9 bags in a large black bin which is adequate for a bigger family . i think a one month collection and staying with large black ...See More
14 hours ago · Like · 3
Simon Jenkins It is never a consultation - Its just being told the same things we already know -- We will end up with a cut service whatever the people want and we will not be listened to - even shops have a basic idea 'the customer is right' , we pay these people good money , for what? To be basically told our opinions don't matter anyways....
14 hours ago · Like
Simon Jenkins Question 20. If I am doing double the 'normal' recycling , i.e. filling two black recycle bins (weekly) and two cardboard recycle bags (bi-weekly) , will I get double the landfill bin allowance ?
14 hours ago · Like
Simon Jenkins Also is ''Allowances will also be made for the collection of additional waste at Christmas and New Year.
'' a promise for each year ? Remeber last year they wouldn't take 'any' extra
14 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
Liesa Manneh I am a huge fan of recycling,my question is ,the plastic bags from fruit/ veg ,I know you should by such without but the pennies dictate ,and many offers of such are in bags ,can it put theses plastic bags with carrier bags ?
13 hours ago · Like
Anita Barnard All the time and money spent on this "bin consultation" and what's the betting that they will still do what they want!!!! Monthly collections??? So many consultations have been held to placate the residents of Torfaen and the outcome has always been want TCBC want.
4 hours ago · Like
Bob Roberts 7-9 bags in a big black bin?! Your bin must be massive or you hardly fill your bags. You are lucky to get 3 bigs in a bin. 1 collection a month is ridiculous. Yes they say take your excess to the tip, but the tip is now made inaccessible having to walk 5-20m with your rubbish and then climb steps. How many bin bags these days survive that?!
3 hours ago · Like
Liz Marsh I missed the consultation last night but would like to add my own comment. I recycle everything I possibly can, even down to the cardboard price tags you get on clothes! I work from home as a childminder and I am concerned about monthly black bin colle...See More
3 hours ago · Like
Emma Jessie-Claire Weston The mention of free food recycling bags is of interest to me too Torfaen. Other areas get bags for free and these in particular are quite costly and the reason I dont use my food bin. In fact I do not own a food bin, green or brown at all
3 hours ago · Like
Bottom of Form
APPENDIX E
|Roadshows | | | | | | |
|Name of Venue |Date |Option A |Option B |Option C |Spoilt |Total |
|World Heritage Centre/ Ysgol Bryn |10/14/16th June |64 |13 |10 |3 |90 |
|Onnen Fete/ ASDA | | | | | | |
|ASDA |17th June |33 |1 |6 |4 |44 |
|Pontypool Market/Pontypool Leisure |18th June |67 |4 |13 |4 |88 |
|Centre | | | | | | |
|TESCO |19th June |67 |1 |11 |0 |79 |
|MORRISONS |20th June |74 |4 |5 |2 |85 |
|Pontypool Leisure Centre |21st June |19 |1 |1 |0 |21 |
|Widdershins |23rd June |10 |2 |0 |0 |12 |
|Garndiffaith Millennium Hall (Lunch|24th June |4 |0 |0 |0 |4 |
|Club) | | | | | | |
|World Heritage Centre /BALC |24th June |15 |2 |2 |0 |19 |
|Garndiffaith Millennium Hall |25th June |6 |0 |1 |9 |16 |
|(Mother and toddler) | | | | | | |
|Garndiffaith Millennium Hall |26th June |16 |0 |1 |0 |17 |
|(Flying Start)/Talywain OAP | | | | | | |
|Cwmbran Sustainability Event |27th June |103 |1 |6 |3 |113 |
|TOTAL | |478 |29 |56 |25 |588 |
| | |81% |5% |10% |4% |100% |
Question Two responses are included within the main body of the report (7.5) and have been incorporated into all other responses on Question Two.
| |Number of |
| |Comments/ |
|Subject |Queries |
|Query about nappies |15 |
|Concern of Size of family |10 |
|Will not work |0 |
|Operational comments, e.g., requests for new containers, crew complaints|106 |
|Keep collections as is |15 |
|Smaller bins |0 |
|Bags |0 |
|Monthly Collections |0 |
|Expand Recycling Collections |38 |
|Recycling for flats |1 |
|Recycling for businesses |6 |
|Recycling for schools |1 |
|Animal Waste |3 |
|Increase in Fly tipping |2 |
|Increase in pests (related to bag option) |14 |
|Enforcement/Awareness, eg, why can’t we just fine those who don’t |29 |
|recycle | |
|Target big business |0 |
|Supply Free food bags |25 |
|Better recycling bins |22 |
|Have co-mingled collections |4 |
|Go to three weekly collection |0 |
|Have more recycling in town centres |2 |
|Comments about the financial costs (related to skinny bins) |9 |
|Having incentives |6 |
|Having an all Wales collection |1 |
APPENDIX F
DIRECT RESPONSES
|Direct Delivered | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|Source |Option A |Option B |Option C |Spoilt |Total |
|Call Torfaen |23 |2 |5 |7 |37 |
|Direct Delivered to the Council |70 |6 |21 |8 |105 |
|Age Concern (Widdershins visit) |15 |3 |5 |2 |25 |
|Trevethin Post Office |15 |0 |0 |0 |15 |
|TOTAL |123 |11 |31 |17 |182 |
| |68% |6% |17% |9% |100% |
A ‘spoilt’ paper is one where the respondent has not chosen any of the three options (or all of them) but has made comment, usually in favour of keeping the status quo. These comments will be captured as part of the analysis of all comments received, later in the report.
Question Two responses are included within the main body of the report (7.5) and have been incorporated into all other responses on Question Two.
| |Number of |
| |Comments/ |
|Subject |Queries |
|Query about nappies |0 |
|Concern of Size of family |3 |
|Will not work |0 |
|Operational comments, e.g., requests for new containers, crew complaints|17 |
|Keep collections as is |6 |
|Smaller bins |0 |
|Bags |0 |
|Monthly Collections |0 |
|Expand Recycling Collections |14 |
|Recycling for flats |1 |
|Recycling for businesses |0 |
|Recycling for schools |0 |
|Animal Waste |1 |
|Increase in Fly tipping |2 |
|Increase in pests (related to bag option) |5 |
|Enforcement/Awareness, e.g., why can’t we just fine those who don’t |9 |
|recycle | |
|Target big business |0 |
|Supply Free food bags |1 |
|Better recycling bins |3 |
|Have co-mingled collections |3 |
|Go to three weekly collection |2 |
|Have more recycling in town centres |2 |
|Comments about the financial costs (related to skinny bins) |13 |
|Having incentives |0 |
|Having an all Wales collection |0 |
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