Rhydyfelin residents were given the opportunity to discover how they can improve the way they recycle, access the services Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has on offer and give their views on how the service can be improved.
In September 2018, the Council's Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee received a presentation from the Council's Streetcare Services team that highlighted concerns around recycling and fly-tipping in a number of areas across the County Borough.
As a result, the Council's Scrutiny Committee and Streetcare Service agreed to set up a pilot and form a unique partnership with Newydd Housing Association to tackle the issues in the Rhydyfelin area.
The partnership recently came together to bring a one-day event to a number of streets in Rhydyfelin that were identified in the presentation as having poor recycling habits, high levels of black bag waste, contaminated waste and fly-tipping on side streets.
One of the main issues that needed to be looked at in the area was communal bin collection points and ensuring that recycling facilities are being used effectively.
Chair of the Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Steve Bradwick, said: "Recycling is a key priority for the Council and it is important that all areas of the County Borough come together and do their bit. It is hoped that through the work of this Committee that we can help make a difference.
“Early reports suggest that there has already been an improvement in recycling rates in the Rhydyfelin area, and I would like to thank the teams and residents of Rhydyfelin for their warm welcome on the day and also for taking part in this joint initiative."
Oonagh Lyons, Housing Team Leader at Newydd said, “We are pleased to work with the Council and local community to deliver this initiative.
“By not disposing of household waste appropriately, we are allocating more and more money to removing waste which in turn will end up costing our tenants. This money could be much better spent in the local community rather than on waste removal.”
Teaming up with @RCTCouncil for #RhydRecycleRescue this morning. Gofyn i’r gymuned am atebion i’r trafferthion ailgylchu yn Rhydyfelin. pic.twitter.com/SPun9FiYrV
— Newydd Housing (@NewyddHousing) July 3, 2019
The 'Rhyd Recycle Rescue' project saw Scrutiny members, Streetcare officers and Newydd Housing Associations officers form teams to speak to residents to gain their views via an online survey on how the Council and Newydd Housing Association can help residents recycle more. Over 140 residents have responded to the survey and their views will now be included in a report that will be presented back to the Scrutiny Committee to help shape and improve recycling in Rhydyfelin - it is also hoped that if this project is successful it will be rolled out to other areas across the County Borough.
The 'Rhyd Recycle Rescue' event also looked to engage the younger residents of Rhydyfelin as a fun environmental signage colouring competition was held, with the winning signs being turned in to lamp post signs for the area - the lucky winners also scooped summer passes for Lido Ponty, The National Lido of Wales.
For more information on the work of the Council's Scrutiny Committees visit: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/scrutiny or, for information on recycling visit: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/recycling.
