Posted on: Thursday 20 November 2025
Food waste recycling has increased by 16 per cent across Torfaen since the council’s Keeping Up with the Joneses campaign started.
Since September, recycling education and enforcement officers have been delivering Keeping Up with the Joneses' booklets and advising residents about how to reduce purple-lidded bin waste.
Councillor Sue Morgan, Executive Member for Sustainability and Waste, said: “A big thank you to residents for recycling their food waste through our weekly kerbside collection, especially any residents who might have been hesitant previously.
"I hope they will keep recycling now they have given it a try. Most people find it's much better to not have food hanging around for two weeks and to seal it into the caddies.
"Food waste has always made up a large portion of purple lidded bin waste, so we are thrilled to see more of it being put out for recycling.
"It's also great that we can generate energy and fertiliser from left- over food. Though wasting as little food as possible is even better!."
Top tips from our team to help residents recycle more effectively:
- Start small. Try recycling just your tea bags and eggshells for a week and see how it goes. Before long, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without a weekly food waste collection.
- Need a hand? Our Recycling Education and Enforcement Officers are here to support you. If you’re finding recycling tricky, they’ll help you reduce the amount going into your purple-lidded bin.
The team will monitor purple-lidded bins and reach out to households with overfilled bins or extra rubbish bags to offer advice and assistance.
However, if no changes are made, they could be issued with a warning letter and ultimately a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
The team will also be monitoring purple-lidded bin waste, and will contact any households whose bins have been overfilled or have additional rubbish bags next to them.
The aim is to raise recycling in line with Welsh Government targets and help meet net carbon zero goals.
In a Raise the Rate survey in 2023, 56 per cent of residents said they would support enforcement action being taken against those who do not recycle.
You can read more about the council’s Waste Education and Enforcement Policy on our website.
Find out what can be recycled on your doorstep
Need additional recycling boxes or bags? Find your nearest recycling hub
The Household Recycling Centre is open seven days a week. Please separate recycling and rubbish.