Semi-clear bags now available for residents

SEMI-CLEAR bags for non-recyclable rubbish are now available for residents in Carmarthenshire.

The bags have been introduced as a pilot initiative to help encourage householders to separate their waste for recycling.

They are available free of charge for collection only at the council’s Customer Service Centres in Spilman Street, Carmarthen; Ty Elwyn, Llanelli; and Ammanford Town Hall as well as the council offices in Llandeilo.

People can continue to use black bags and /or a mixture of both black and the semi-clear bags if they wish.

Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We must reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill and recycle as much of our waste as possible or we risk large fines. We are looking at ways of how we can improve our recycling rate by making it easier for residents to recycle their rubbish and the semi-clear bags are just one of a number of pilot schemes we are introducing over the next few months.”

Householders are being reminded that blue recycling bags are also available for collection from the council’s Customer Service Centres as well as various community outlets. Blue bags can also be delivered on request free of charge by visiting www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or by calling Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.

Lost or damaged green food bins will also be replaced free of charge again by calling Carmarthenshire Direct.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Last year we recycled just over 43% of our waste which is very encouraging, but we have a lot of work to do if we are to reach our 2012/13 target of 52%. I would urge residents to please use their recycling scheme and help us in our drive to become a zero waste county.”

A survey will be carried out with residents in the autumn to find out their views on waste and recycling.

CAPTION: Cllr Philip Hughes with customer service staff Helen Condell, Anthony Protheroe and Angela Edwards and the semi-clear bags which are now available to the public for their non-recyclable rubbish.

Picture: Jeff Connell.