A planned community clean-up has been delayed because of a dispute regarding waste sacks.
The Newport organisation Pride in Pill had intended to tidy areas around Alexander Road and nearby locations this coming week, but the activity has been shelved after the local authority’s waste division introduced a new rule.
The council has informed the volunteers that all community litter-clearance events must utilise official Keep Wales Tidy branded sacks for collecting gathered refuse.
Paul Murphy, who established Pride in Pill, mentioned that when he initially began the initiative he relied on black sacks, but council officers requested years ago that he switch to red ones instead.
He has consequently been using red sacks for the past several years.
However, he received correspondence from Newport City Council’s Waste Department the previous week indicating they now had concerns about their red sacks.
The issue is that these are not official Keep Wales Tidy red sacks.
Mr Murphy stated he made clear to council staff that they had utilised the same sacks for many years without any difficulties.
He noted that officials are now insisting these are unsuitable because they must be sourced from Keep Wales Tidy.
He has spent the past week attempting to obtain supplies from Keep Wales Tidy but has received no reply.
Mr Murphy added that the council has also been unable to assist them in reaching the environmental organisation.
He mentioned requesting a contact number for Keep Wales Tidy from the council but was informed they do not have one.
He has recently purchased over 2,000 red sacks and now faces being told they cannot be used as they are not the approved type.
He is concerned this alteration could restrict the volume of litter they can gather at future events should bag supplies be limited.
He explained that where he typically collects 30 or 40 sacks of refuse during a litter pick, if Keep Wales Tidy provides only 20 sacks, then he can only clear 20 sacks worth.
He anticipates being reduced from collecting 40-odd sacks to approximately 20.
Currently he is unable to proceed with any litter pick until he obtains supplies from Keep Wales Tidy, as there is no guarantee Newport City Council will collect bags that are not from them.
Pride in Pill has spent a week attempting to reach Keep Wales Tidy and the designated Engagement Support Officer but has received no response.
A representative for the group stated they have telephoned all available contact numbers and left multiple messages, yet unfortunately have received no reply.
They are eager to arrange the community clean-up and do not wish to postpone their efforts to maintain the area’s cleanliness.
If no response is forthcoming soon, they will proceed using the red sacks already in their possession so the litter pick can still occur.
They hope to receive a reply shortly, but their volunteers remain prepared to keep benefiting their community.
The council stated it appreciates the efforts of community volunteers and noted that over 150 volunteer clean-ups have occurred throughout the city since 2022.
A council spokesperson commented that more than 150 community clean-ups have been registered with the authority since 2022, with thousands of sacks of refuse gathered across the city.
Using approved Keep Wales Tidy sacks helps differentiate waste gathered by community groups from fly-tipped material at disposal facilities. Information about obtaining the official sacks, including through litter-picking hubs, is accessible online.
Some local residents have criticised the council on social media, characterising the situation as trivial and urging the authority to concentrate on more urgent matters.
Pride in Pill is a prize-winning volunteer organisation recognised for its street clearances, community assistance, and outreach work throughout Newport.