Tell the Council what you think of their recycling service

RESIDENTS are being urged to give their views on the council’s recycling service.

A survey is being carried out to find out what people think about the green bin/blue bag scheme and the recycling centres.

The survey has been inserted into the September/October edition of Carmarthenshire News and can also be completed online via the council’s website.

The information will be used to improve the service where possible.

Like all local authorities in Wales, Carmarthenshire must reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill and increase its recycling rate.

Last year the county recycled/composted 43% of its waste, but must achieve a figure of 52% by 2012/13, rising to 70% by 2024/25.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for householders to recycle and that’s why this survey is so important. Our recycling rate is very encouraging, but we have a lot of work to do if we are to reach 52% by 2012/13. It is also vital we reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill. Although again we are doing very well, the targets are set to get much harder and if we don’t meet them we could end up being fined millions of pounds.

“We all have a part to play to reduce and recycle our waste. By working together we can make a real difference and improve our environment for future generations.”

The green bin/blue bag recycling scheme was launched in February 2008 is now serving approximately 78,000 households across the county.

Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “The green bin/blue bag scheme has been extremely successful and I would like to thank residents’ for their efforts. We will be rolling out the scheme to the remaining households in Carmarthenshire this year and we are also carrying out a number of initiatives such as a partnership with Age Concern to help older people with recycling and a pilot scheme supplying liners to 8,000 households to try and increase participation in the food waste scheme.

“But it is important residents tell us what they think about our waste services and how we can make it easier for them to recycle. I am appealing to residents to please complete the survey either in Carmarthenshire News or on the council’s website. We must work together if we are to achieve these challenging future waste targets.”

The consultation period ends on October 31. The survey can be found in the September/October edition of Carmarthenshire News which is being delivered to homes across the county now or visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk