A FRESH approach is likely to be taken with Newport residents who "contaminate" their orange-lidded recycling bins Garden waste and cardboard are the only items supposed to be put in the green wheelie-bins.

In the past, the council has taken a hard line with people who try to use them for other items.

Bins are slapped with a sticker and left unemptied with a visit to residents the following day.

If the contamination is not taken away by the next collection, the bins are removed and they cannot have one again.

But these measures do not make exemptions for genuine mistakes, said a report to Cllr David Fouweather, cabinet member for the environment and community safety.

Sustainability manager Carl Touhig said they needed to provide additional education and encouragement to get all residents to participate in schemes so enforcement and punitive measures could be minimised.

He made a number of proposals which were backed by Cllr Fouweather.

  • On the initial visit following contamination, more comprehensive advice will be offered and the bin only removed if there was further contamination.
  • Residents that had contaminated their bins could apply for another one but it would be accompanied by a legal notice specifying what materials could go in the receptacle.
  • Failure to comply could lead to a fixed penalty notice and prosecution.
  • Stickers to be introduced for people who overload their rubbish bins informing them about recycling services. Legal action could be taken against those who ignore the advice.
  • Larger bins for bigger households and families with two or more members in nappies could receive the additional hygiene waste collection service.

Like other authorities, Newport has to meet tough recycling targets or face punitive fines.

In partnership with Newport Wastesavers, the council provides one of the UK's most comprehensive kerbside reycling collection schemes.