As a response to significant funding pressures, Pembrokeshire County Council decided last year to stop supplying black bags to householders for disposing of general, non-recyclable rubbish.

Instead residents are now required to supply their own bags for such waste and they can be readily obtained from supermarkets, corner shops, hardware stores and other retail outlets.

The sacks used by householders when presenting their rubbish for collection do not necessarily have to be black, but should be approximately the same size as previously supplied, namely standard black dustbin liners.

Sacks of other sizes, such as carrier bags, dumpy sacks and the like are not acceptable.

Up until the point at which it is collected by the council, householders are under a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is securely contained and prevented from escaping or being attacked by gulls and other animals.

Bags should be securely tied to prevent the waste from spilling out and be strong enough to hold the waste that is carried from their property and thrown into the collection vehicle.

Consideration also needs to be given as to whether any measures are necessary to protect their waste - such as covering with an old blanket - to prevent the bags being ripped open.

Where a householder secures waste in a bin at the kerbside for collection, the waste inside must also be bagged so that it can be lifted out by the collector. Sacks that are too heavy to be readily lifted by a collector will be left.

The council continues to supply residents with orange recycling sacks and food waste bags in order to allow households to recycle as much as possible. These sacks must only be used for the wastes intended.

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements is likely to lead to waste being left on the kerbside and could result in enforcement action being taken against offending householders.