Second waste site in Swansea to convert to ‘recycling only’

A second household waste recycling centre in Swansea is set to be converted into a ‘recycling only’ facility by refusing to accept black bag waste.

Swansea Council is to introduce changes at the Garngoch HWRC near Gorseinon in an effort to boost recycling levels.

Latest research by the Council has found that black bags taken to HWRCs contain up to 70% recyclable material.

It’s hoped the changes will encourage residents to make better use of the city’s kerbside recycling service and, at the same time, save them a trip to the site.

The changes will mean that from September 19 the site will only accept recyclable waste from residents and will not accept black bag waste.

The Council has already made the changes at its site in Tir John which resulted in an estimated 60 tonnes of black bag waste being diverted away from the site in the first month.

The removal of the black bag skips at Garngoch has also created space to increase parking for visitors.

The recycling plans are expected to include at least one more site at Penlan in a bid to push the council’s recycling levels toward the Welsh Government target of 64% by 2020. Clyne will be a further option.

Last month Welsh council recycling rates were published for 2015/16 and Swansea has reached 60% – two percent above the 58% target.

The changes at its HWRCs also feature as part of an extensive review of the city’s waste management service in an effort to improve recycling levels and lower costs.

David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “The changes will mean that households can still use the sites to recycle household waste, but more effort will be needed by residents to sort their waste instead of putting it all in a black bag.

“We have developed an excellent kerbside recycling service that residents can use to dispose of a wide range of household waste. Hopefully the changes at the recycling sites will encourage more households to use these services.”

As well as increasing recycling levels the council hopes the changes will help reduce its annual landfill tax costs which stand at around £4 million a year to bury residual waste.

Cllr Hopkins added: “Much of what is being taken to landfill can be recycled and we need residents to support us so we can divert it away to recycling centres or into the kerbside collections.”