Free black bags to stop

HOUSEHOLDERS in Carmarthenshire will no longer receive a free roll of black bags -saving £135,000 a year.

Full council agreed to cease the provision of free black bags as part of its budget for the coming year.

A recent public consultation showed that there was strong support for the move with 64.5% of people in favour.

One roll of 52 black bags was delivered annually to every household in the county along with two rolls of blue bags, usually during March/April.

As a result of this decision, a blanket delivery of blue bags will no longer be made but will be delivered on request instead.

Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “A recent survey with the public revealed that two-thirds of people supported the move to stop the provision of free black bags.

“We are now recycling more than ever and residents can have as many blue bags as they need. However, I would like to stress that the blue bags can only be used for clean, recyclable materials. I hope householders will co-operate and continue to recycle as much of their waste as possible.”

Householders are now being reminded that blue bags can be picked up from one of the council’s customer service centres and various community outlets. They can also make a request for more blue bags to be delivered by calling Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or by visiting www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Director of technical services Richard Workman said: “The more we reduce and recycle our waste, the less reliant we will become on black bags and the need for our waste to go to landfill.

“Like all local authorities we have strict targets to meet on recycling and on how much waste we can send to landfill. It is vital therefore that we continue to recycle using both the green food bins and blue bags.”

You can pick up more blue bags from the following outlets: the council’s customer service centres at Llanelli Ammanford and Carmarthen; Llandeilo council offices; Trimsaran Leisure Centre, Kidwelly Town Council; Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council; Communities First Llwynhendy; Llandovery Post Office; Pontyberem Hall; Felinfoel Community Centre; Peiriannau Gardd Dyffryn Teifi, Felindre, Llandysul.