THE reduction of community recycling sites could lead to an increase in the incidences of fly-tipping in Machynlleth and Llanidloes, a rural campaign group has said.

The Countryside Alliance has reacted strongly to the news that the county council’s Cabinet has decided to reduce from approximately 80 the number of community recycling sites and rural storage point bins across Powys.

Rachel Evans, director of Countryside Alliance Wales, described the decision as “disappointing” and said: “It is disappointing that the council has taken this decision which most definitely puts those living in remote parts of the county at a disadvantage, having to travel further to dispose of their waste.

“This is not forgetting, of course, the population over the age of 64 which makes up 29.5 per cent of the Powys population who will find it more difficult to recycle.”

At the cabinet meeting on 12 April, the portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, Cllr John Powell, argued that the presence of bring sites and rural refuse storage containers often attracted fly-tipping, and confirmed that sites would be individually assessed in consultation with local members.

But Mrs Evans disagreed, saying she expected fly-tipping to become worse after the “regrettable” cabinet decision.

“If we couple this with those who are not inclined to recycle waste, it will only increase the incidences of fly tipping,” Mrs Evans added.

“But there are many more incidences as this figure does not include rubbish dumped on private land."

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