RESIDENTS in Monmouthshire are being asked to avoid placing their household waste out earlier than necessary.

Monmouthshire County Council has appealed to residents to avoid placing waste and recycling for collection earlier than necessary, following a number of complaints received from people across the county as bags left on the kerbside for a prolonged period are susceptible to attack by rats, seagulls, foxes and other nuisances with a consequent increase in litter.

This has been a particular problem during the recent spell of warm weather and is the source of most waste-related complaints. The council recommends that waste and recycling is placed on the kerbside by 7am on the morning of collection but officers acknowledge that this is not always convenient. As a result they ask residents to place bags for collection no earlier than the evening before.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for waste and recycling, Councillor Bryan Jones said: “We’re generally very happy with the way in which residents have embraced the disposal of household waste and the vast majority place it for collection so it doesn’t linger longer than required. We’d now like to see everyone following the same pattern.”

Sue Parkinson, Waste Education Officer added: “A useful feature of the council’s website is the My Monmouthshire page where local residents can register to receive a reminder of when their waste or recycling will be collected next.”

For more information about bin collections log on to: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/my-monmouthshire