Problem
Pembrokeshire County Council, known for achieving some of the highest recycling rates in Wales, faced a new challenge with the introduction of Welsh Government’s Workplace Recycling Regulations in 2024. This legislation required all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to separate their waste for recycling at source.
At the time of the announcement, recycling and non-recyclable waste from households that share communal bins with their neighbours was being collected using the same vehicles as the trade waste collections service, on the basis that both had co-mingled recycling collections. The new Workplace Recycling Regulations meant that commercial premises had to separate their waste at source, and, as such, the existing approach to collecting co-mingled waste would no longer comply with the law. When the trade waste collection vehicles changed to single-stream compartments, the Council was unable to continue delivering co-mingled communal household collections. Keen to maintain its high recycling rates and to ensure compliance with the legislation, Pembrokeshire County Council had to adapt its services.
A key barrier to introducing wider material separation to communal collections for households was the restricted space available both inside and outside of properties. This made separation at source more difficult to implement effectively. The Council saw the change in workplace legislation as an opportunity to innovate, ensuring recycling remained accessible and effective for all residents.
Solution
Pembrokeshire County Council adopted a flexible and inclusive approach to address the challenges and bring household communal collections in line with the wider source-separated kerbside recycling system implemented across Pembrokeshire. The following solutions were put in place to meet the needs of residents:
- Kerbside recycling for suitable properties: Properties with adequate outdoor space and access for collection vehicles switched to individual kerbside recycling collection services (in line with the system used by most homes across Pembrokeshire), ensuring maximum convenience for residents.
- Racking systems in small bin storage areas: Innovative racking systems were introduced to optimise space in smaller communal bin storage areas, ensuring all residents could separate their recycling efficiently.
- Quad bags for internal use: The Council gave reusable quad bags to residents living in properties where external space restrictions meant communal collections needed to continue. The bags enabled residents to separate their recyclable materials, like glass, metals, plastics, cartons, cardboard and paper, inside their home. Residents empty these quad bags into the appropriate containers in their communal bin storage areas. These compact bags made recycling more manageable in limited spaces, and the separation of materials enabled the new trade fleet to continue to be able to collect from these residents in line with legislation.
- Direct collection of quad bags: For those receiving a kerbside collection but generating smaller quantities of waste, such as single person households and older residents, collection crews retrieve recyclables directly from the quad bags, eliminating the need for presenting all containers. This adaptation improved access to recycling requirements and maximised the versatility of the reusable bags.
- Extensive engagement: Environment Advisors led a proactive door-knocking campaign, distributing quad bags or kerbside recycling kits, and engaging directly with residents to explain the changes and support correct recycling behaviours. They also engaged with landlords to assess communal bin storage areas and suggested improvements to facilitate the collection of separate waste streams.
Impact
Pembrokeshire County Council’s adaptive approach has delivered notable environmental, operational, and social benefits:
- Maintained leadership in recycling: The Council remains one of the top-performing recycling authorities in Wales, currently achieving a 72% recycling rate and demonstrating its commitment to exceeding future targets.
- Increased participation: By addressing space and accessibility challenges, the Council has made recycling more inclusive and convenient, fostering greater community engagement and cooperation.
- Improved public trust and awareness: Hands-on engagement means residents feel more informed and supported, boosting public confidence in the Council's waste services.
- Increased operational efficiency: The transition allows collections to be serviced by either trade waste or domestic kerbside recycling collection vehicles. This streamlines the collection methodology and allows the material to be processed in line with the rest of the county at the purpose-built waste transfer station.
Pembrokeshire County Council has demonstrated that flexibility and engagement are key to achieving effectiveness in the provision of recycling collection services.