Machynlleth could lose garden waste bins in the town if people continue dumping other items in them, Powys County Council has warned.

That has prompted local councillor Michael Williams to urge people to use the bins for the items they are intended for.

A pram, mattresses, furniture, toys and black bag waste have been dumped at the bins which are there solely for compostable garden waste.

In a county council response to Cllr Williams, an officer for the authority’s waste service warned the facility could be removed from if it continues to be misused.

They said: “Unfortunately when residents choose to use these containers to dispose of general waste it contaminates the rest of the material within the bank as well as that which is collected from other sites on that same collection round.

"We are then unable to recycle the material and are left with no option but to send this to landfill. This is not only additional cost to the council, but also a loss of recyclable material.

"The council, like all other authorities in Wales, is required to meet strict recycling targets set by the Welsh Government. Failure to do so will result in heavy fines to the authority.

"We need residents to use the banks appropriately so that the recyclable garden waste can contribute towards those targets.

“Unfortunately if inappropriate use of these containers continues we will have to consider removing them from the site as we have done in other areas.”

Cllr Williams said the removal of the bins would be a loss to Machynlleth and the Dyfi Valley.

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