RESIDENTS who persistently leave out too much rubbish in Flintshire could face fines once again as enforcement action restarts.

Flintshire Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the reintroduction of measures to punish those who leave rubbish outside their bins starting from September.

It follows the local authority placing sanctions on hold when the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March last year because of the risk to the safety of enforcement officers, who are required to root through bin bags for evidence when offences occur.

The return of the measures is being proposed as refuse collectors gathered more than 3,000 tonnes of extra waste in 2020/21 - a 12 per cent increase in comparison to the previous year.

Officials said they could not continue to take in such large amounts because of the impact on the county’s recycling figures, which have dropped from 69 per cent in 2018/19 to 64 per cent in the last financial year.

Katie Wilby, the council’s chief officer for streetscene and transportation, said: “Following a review of the waste tonnage data, we have observed an unprecedented increase in the amount of residual waste being disposed of at the kerbside.

“This is attributable to a number of factors such as more people spending time at home, including people working from home, people taking the opportunity to undertake home improvements and more people shopping online.

“Due to strict national recycling targets set by the Welsh Government, this downturn in performance cannot be sustained.

“Additionally, the financial impact of the increased disposal costs is unsustainable and, if not addressed, will create substantial budget pressures.”

She added: “Side waste is presented by a minority of residents, and it has been identified that those who present it are often not making use of the kerbside recycling collection service.

“This is not acceptable or sustainable due to the environmental problems that side waste causes when exposed to the elements when bags are split causing waste to spill onto the streets.”

The council has sent out more than 2,000 warning letters to residents since enforcement measures were first introduced in March 2018.

It said fixed penalty notices had been issued on “several occasions” but did not specify the exact number.

An increase in fly tipping has also been reported in the area, with concerns over rubbish being dumped in alleyways and open green spaces.

The council’s cabinet member for streetscene, Councillor Glyn Banks, said its initial focus would be on teaching residents how to dispose of their rubbish properly.

He said: “The enforcement process for side waste is a three staged approach with the initial emphasis on informing and educating residents on the correct way to present their waste and recycling.

“Formal action for continued non–compliance is taken only when no improvement is observed following the first stage.

“Evidence has shown us that the education stage makes a significant impact on residents’ waste disposal.

“We would, therefore, propose that we explore the options for a designated role to drive and deliver environmental improvement campaigns within local communities.”

A campaign is set to be launched in the county ahead of the reintroduction of enforcement action to inform residents of the changes.

Members of the council’s ruling Labour cabinet will be asked to approve the reinstatement of the measures when they meet on Tuesday (July 13, 2021).