Food for thought – get involved for Recycle Week

RECYCLE Week is taking place from June 20–26 and this year’s theme is ‘Food for Thought’.

The aim is to show how separate food waste collections can help people reduce the amount of food they throw away – not only is it better for the environment but it can save you money too.

Around 75,000 households across Carmarthenshire now benefit from separate food waste collections.

The council’s executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Many of us don’t realise just how much food – and money – we waste, but now that most homes in Wales have a separate food waste collection there’s no reason for throwing any food waste away.

“Using your green bin prevents this food waste going to landfill, where it would decompose to produce greenhouse gases. Instead it is taken to a central processing plant to be turned into compost and then sold back to householders to use in their own gardens.”

Merlin’s Magic Compost is available from CWM Environmental and can be purchased at Trostre, Nantycaws, Wernddu and Whitland Household Waste Recycling Centres as well as at the Materials Recycling Facility in Alltycnap Road in Johnstown for £2 a bag.

For further information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.

Five fab food facts:

1. The average Welsh household throws away 150 kg of food every year.

2. The total amount of food householders in Wales throws away would fill two-thirds of the Millennium Stadium in a year.

3. More than 7 out of 10 people in Wales use their food waste collection or compost food waste.

4. Just under 83% per cent of homes in Wales have a separate food or food and green waste collection.