CONCERNS have been raised that a survey on waste and recycling in Newport suggests the council would consider reducing bin collections.

The survey asks members of the public if they were recycling more of their waste, whether they could manage if their bins were collected less frequently than once a fortnight.

According to the council, almost 60 per cent of waste thrown into wheelie bins last year could have been recycled – the equivalent of 16,000 tonnes.

Fewer collections would boost the authority’s recycling rates and lead to a “bigger saving of taxpayer’s money”, according to the survey launched on Monday.

READ MORE: Recycling figures fall across all but one Gwent authority

The Labour-led council’s leader Debbie Wilcox previously ruled out introducing three weekly collections but the inclusion of questions referring to reduced collections has been criticised by opposition councillors.

Conservative councillor David Fouweather said: “It’s disappointing given that the leader has clearly stated that there’s not going to be any three weekly collections.

“The survey doesn’t suggest the council would do that, but it does ask a question which is heavily loaded in favour of reducing bin collections.”

Cllr Fouweather said the council should strength its enforcement strategy and consider legal action against those failing to recycle “instead of punishing residents that do”.

Councillor Chris Evans, of the Newport Independents Group, was also sceptical of the phrasing of the question but trusted Cllr Wilcox to “stand by her word”.

The 24-question survey also asks if the council should consider extended opening times for the household waste recycling centre in Docks Way.

Plans to redevelop the site and establish a second centre in the eastern part of Newport have been previously discussed by the council as it updates its waste management strategy.

Michael Enea, who runs the Facebook campaign ‘Say No to the 3 Weekly Bin Collections in Newport’, said he would welcome any proposals for a new recycling centre.

But he added: “The council have to get things right at Docks Way first before even considering a new facility.

“[Docks Way] has one of the shortest opening times in Wales and is the only centre in Wales that doesn’t open on Bank Holiday Mondays.”

Newport City Council is currently working towards meeting future Welsh Government recycling targets and avoid potential fines of more than £1.5 million.

READ MORE: Newport council face £1.5m fine if recycling aims fall short

Last year the authority achieved a 59.8 per cent recycling rate but must meet 64 per cent in 2019/2020 and 70 per cent in 2024/25.

Councillor Roger Jeavons, cabinet member for Streetscene, said: “The leader has stressed that three weekly collections will not be introduced.

“The recycling survey includes general multiple questions to see why people don’t recycle more and what we can do to change this.”