Green waste skips could disappear in Powys

The proposed changes, which will be debated by the county council's Cabinet on Tuesday, would see the current green banks at community recycling sites removed, saving £280.000.

The council is looking to introduce the new service and if given the go-ahead, residents will be able to have their say on how the collection service is implemented.

Currently residents can take their green waste either to their nearest household waste recycling centre or community recycling site. However, the council says the green banks at community recycling sites are unmanned and often abused by fly-tippers and commercial gardeners.

If given the go-ahead, the new service could be introduced from April 2019 while the green banks at community recycling sites would be removed. The facilities at the five Household Waste Recycling Centres across Powys would not be affected.

Convenient

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Recycling and Waste, said: “We are proposing to introduce a green waste collection service to all households on a chargeable basis. This type of service has proved very popular in other council areas as it provides a convenient method for residents to recycle their green waste.

“If this service is introduced, there would not be the need for the green banks at community recycling sites. These are unique to Powys but as these banks are unmanned they are subject to regular abuse by commercial gardeners illegally using them and also by unscrupulous people disposing of other material, such as DIY waste, which will contaminate the entire load which then needs to be sent for disposal at landfill.

“If the collection service is introduced and we removed the green waste banks at the community recycling site, we could make estimated savings of £280,000. If the proposal is given the go-ahead, we would consult with residents later in the year so that can have a say and shape how the service should be implemented.”