By Islam El-Sakka
Residents in Denbighshire, Wales, say the council’s recycling program has become a “full-time job” as households are asked to separate waste into up to 11 different containers.
Complex Collection Schedule
In a typical week, most households put out an orange food waste caddy, a blue hessian sack for cardboard, and a Trolibocs – a stack of three bins for tins, plastic, and glass. A residual waste bin is collected every four weeks. Optional services add a green wheelie bin for garden waste, white bags for textiles, a pink clip-on holder for batteries, and a black caddy for absorbent hygiene products. Small electrical items can be placed atop the Trolibocs.
Soft Plastics Trial Adds Another Bin
At least 4,500 households are now trialing a separate bin for soft plastics, bringing the total potential containers to 11. One unnamed resident said he already uses six bins with a seventh coming for the trial, calling the process “ridiculous.” He noted a rise in rodent activity in Rhyl since collections became weekly.
Residents Describe Burden
Linda Muraca, a local resident, said putting bins out has become a full-time job, especially during the fourth week when all containers are collected. She said rubbish often litters roads after collection.
Council Defends System
Denbighshire County Council denied reports that residents must put out 12 bins, stating many services are optional and the Trolibocs counts as one container with compartments. A spokesperson said the council achieves some of the UK’s highest recycling rates and that households typically put out three containers weekly, with a fourth every four weeks. The soft plastics trial runs until early December and has received positive feedback, preparing for upcoming Welsh Government recycling requirements.
