Education and Enforcement
Our education and enforcement team visit areas to check households are using their recycling service correctly and not putting out excess rubbish.
If they find bins that are overfilled or have additional bags of rubbish next to them, the team will follow a 4-step process:
- Householders will be provided with a Keeping Up with the Joneses information leaflet outlining how to present their waste correctly.
- The resident will receive a second letter if they continue to put out excess waste.
- If they continue to present excess black bag waste, they will be issued with a Section 46 Notice.
- Should the householder continue to put out excess rubbish after receiving a section 46 notice, they will be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Recycling support
Help is available for larger households, elderly people, and householders with certain medical needs.
We recognise some people have mental or physical disabilities that can make recycling difficult. Our Education and Enforcement team prioritise an “engagement first” approach and will identify people unable to engage in education or enforcement action. The team will also suggest other help where appropriate such as assisted collections.
Why are you introducing the Keeping up with the Joneses campaign?
We need to meet the Welsh Government’s 70 per cent recycling target or face significant fines.
Increasing recycling rates will also help us to meet the government’s net carbon zero targets.
Research shows most items put into purple-lidded bins can be recycled via our weekly kerbside collection service, including food waste, cardboard and paper.
The campaign will focus on residents who persistently put too much purple-lidded bin waste rather than recycle.
Find out what goes in which bin
If you already recycle all you can but still have too much rubbish, please contact us via 01495 762200.
How can I reduce my waste?
We provide a weekly recycling service, which means food waste, cardboard, plastic, tins, glass, paper, household batteries and textiles can be recycled on the doorstep.
You can also recycle a wide range of other items at our Household Recycling Centre, in New Inn.
Good quality products you no longer need can be donated to the Steelhouse Reuse Shop, next to the Household Recycling Centre, or any other charity shops.
Small electrical items like toasters and kettles can be repaired at the Repair Café, in Pontypool Indoor Market.
Find out other ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle.
What if someone else puts waste in my bin - will I face legal action?
The Keeping up with the Joneses campaign seeks to help people recycle as much as they can. The team is there to support people get it right.
If you suspect other people are putting rubbish in your bin, please let our team know. Enforcement action will only be taken where there is strong evidence that someone is consistently putting out too much purple lidded bin waste.
How can I get more recycling containers?
There is no limit on the amount of recycling you can put out for your weekly recycling collections.
New or additional recycling containers can be collected from one of our recycling hubs.
Residents on an assisted collection or people with a Blue Badge can request a delivery of a replacement container.
Request a recycling container
Can I pay someone else to get rid of my rubbish?
Householders have a duty of care to be responsible when arranging for waste to be removed.
If you are paying for someone to dispose of your waste on your behalf, use a permitted skip provider or suitable registered waste carrier; you are still liable for enforcement action if your waste is found to have been fly tipped.
Natural Resources Wales / Waste carriers, brokers and dealers public register
Last Modified: 26/09/2025
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