In an effort to smarten up their tired-looking streets, Cardiff Council has announced a new waste strategy, including the introduction of 100 new recycling bins into the city centre. The bins will be dotted around the city by next year and will have similar compartments for different waste as those already used by residents.
There will also be extra measures to prevent fly-tipping as well as a new intensive cleaning programme for the capital’s grimy streets. In addition, there will be a new kerbside caddy scheme to help city-centre residents and businesses recycle more.
The new waste strategy is expected to come to scrutiny in October, with full implementation predicted for early next year. The ideas for the scheme have come from studies of local perceptions of recycling. A recent survey revealed that only 49 per cent of residents rated recycling collection in the city to be good last year, a drop from 53 per cent in 2008. However, 80 per cent of people were aware of fixed penalty notices linked with environmental crime, a jump from just 25 per cent in 2008.
According to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Zero Waste strategy, Cardiff must recycle 52 per cent of its rubbish over the next financial year or face fines of up to £200 per excess tonne. The council stressed that it plans to reach recycling rates of 70 per cent, but that it would need full public support in order to do so.
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