Residents in Newtown are among hundreds in the county who have been snooped on by Powys County Council to check on whether they are recycling, it has emerged.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service, which MyNewtown is part of, has undertaken research in South and Mid Wales which has found a scheme is being undertaken to check on recycling and has resulted in letters to residents and even visits from council officers to people's homes.
According to the LDRS 1,397 properties were checked in Powys, with 288 receiving "green" letters saying they are recycling well, 791 amber ones saying they could recycling better and 318 red ones that say they are not doing enough and could do more.
And council enforcement officers have also used face-to-face door knocking where people have not disposed of waste properly in a bid to encourage recycling.
The Everyone’s Doing It recycling scheme has been likened to “big brother” by one opposition councillor, but councils have said the schemes aim to help people to recycle more.
Each council in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan have carried out pilots looking at what and how much people present for recycling by analysing their waste.
Across
“The letters and then follow up face-to-face door knocking use nudge theory to influence behaviours and encourage recycling,” a statement by Cardiff recycling chief councillor Michael Michael says.
Councillor Adrian Robson, leader of the Conservatives on Cardiff council, likened the measure to “big brother” and said he was concerned that vulnerable residents may be targeted.
He said: “My concern with this, particularly with the face to face door knocking, is does it take into account people who may have a mental illness or who are unable
“I’ve got no problem with the council targeting people who repeatedly and deliberately refuse to recycle and are in a position to be able to do so. But this appears to be undertaking a pilot targeting people who have got it wrong in one instance.”
The Welsh Government has set a target for the six authorities to reach a recycling rate of 70% by 2024/25.
Councillor Michael, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, denied the scheme was like ‘big brother’ and said it was about helping everyone recycle more.
A Spokesperson for the Everyone’s Doing IT recycling campaign, said: “Over 70% of households in Blaenau Gwent, Powys, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly and Vale of Glamorgan are recycling and almost 30% of the households sampled are doing an amazing job and recycling as much as they
“As part of the Everyone’s Doing It recycling campaign, which has seen six local authorities based in South East Wales come together to increase recycling rates, a small number of households were chosen to capture their recycling habits, so that each individual local authority could offer help and advice to improve where needed.”
By Matt Discombe, Local Democracy Reporting Service and MyNewtown Editorial