Community volunteers and anti-litter campaigners have raised concerns about the state of the city’s streets, warning that smaller bin sizes and infrequent collections are contributing to the problem.
Darren Rice, a well-known litter picker and founder of the Newport Canal Clean-Up Litter Picking Group, has stepped back from volunteering after feeling his efforts were being taken for granted.
Rubbish scattered across the street, with overflowing bins and loose waste highlighting growing concerns about litter. (Image: NQ)
Mr Rice said: “I don’t bother doing it anymore, because people just expect you to clean up after them and then abuse the place anyway.
“We need bigger bins – why have all the bins gotten smaller when the rubbish has only got worse?”
He has not taken part in litter picking for around 10 months, believing the situation is now beyond the efforts of volunteers.
Community volunteer Darren Rice still enjoys magnet fishing, but says he is increasingly pulling rubbish out of the canal. (Image: Darren Rice)
Although Mr Rice still enjoys magnet fishing as a hobby, he says it is less enjoyable when he continually pulls rubbish out of the water.
His decision to step back follows years of recognition for his community work, including being honoured at King Charles III’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2025.
Paul Murphy, who has spent 12 years litter picking, says streets are being left with bins overflowing and black bags piled on top. (Image: Paul Murphy)
Paul Murphy, founder and chairman of the Pride in Pill (PIP) charity, echoed Mr Rice’s frustrations.
Mr Murphy said: “Many people are not recycling properly, and those who do recycle are finding that the recycling bags are too small.
“The bags often overflow, do not close properly, and rubbish is blown out by the wind.
“Birds and dogs also tear into the bags, spreading litter across the streets.
“As a result, many streets across Newport look untidy because bins and recycling bags are overflowing.
“Residents’ green bins are often left overflowing, with black bags piled on top.”
Mr Murphy believes that restoring weekly black bag collections would help address the problem.
Rubbish scattered across the street, with overflowing bins and loose waste highlighting growing concerns about litter. (Image: NQ)
He said: “Bringing back weekly black bag collections would help reduce overflowing rubbish, keep the streets cleaner, discourage pests, and make Newport a much cleaner and more pleasant place for everyone.”
The PIP charity has organised years of community clean-ups across Newport, removing hazardous waste, discarded needles, and supporting homeless people with meals and other assistance.
Mr Murphy has been involved in litter picking and community work for 12 years.
He added: “The problem is in Newport is your recycling boxes and your bins are too small, they’re not getting them on a regular basis.
“Like I said if you’ve got a family of four or three then boxes could be filled up within a day.
“You go down every street, you’ve got rubbish everywhere, you’ve got bins overflowing with black bags on top and the council will only take one or two black bags.
“That’s why you’ve got a lot of rats and mice running around.
“Like I say your coast tax is going up and your services are getting less and less and less.
“Well I say rubbish need to be picked up on a weekly basis.
“Let’s go back to a weekly basis or get bigger bins.”
Mr Rice and Mr Murphy both believe that without urgent action to improve collections and bin capacity, volunteers will continue to fight a losing battle against rising waste.
Newport Council was contacted for comment on the decision to reduce bin sizes.
A spokesperson said: “We reduced the size of household non-recyclable waste bins in 2019 and this has helped our recycling rate grow to record levels.”
“Fly-tipping is a crime, no matter how big or small the incident. We are committed to stamping it out and will take action against anyone we find breaking the law.
“Although we are doing everything we can, there is also an onus on people taking pride in their area, by doing the right thing and disposing of their waste correctly.
“Ultimately, it is people who are fly tipping, not the council, and the responsibility lies with them not to do it.”