You bring it, we’ll recycle it!

RESIDENTS in the Gwendraeth Valley are being urged to have a post-Christmas clear out and take advantage of a waste and tyre amnesty being held in Cross Hands.

The council’s waste and recycling section has teamed up with Tidy Towns to reduce fly-tipping and encourage people to recycle.

The amnesty is being held in Leekes car park on Wednesday, January 9 from 8am until 2pm.

Most household waste can be taken along including unwanted furniture, carpets and mattresses, electrical items such as fridge-freezers and televisions, garden waste and tyres (maximum 10 tyres per household).

However, paint, garden chemicals, car batteries, gas bottles, asbestos, construction and trade waste will not be accepted.

Executive Board Member for Street Scene Cllr Colin Evans said: “Bulky waste such as furniture, wood and cardboard left lying in and around homes is not only a fire hazard but can result in fly-tipping.

“Much of our waste can also be reused or recycled, from carpets and mattresses to small electrical items and furniture.”

Illegally dumped tyres is a big problem not just in Carmarthenshire but across the UK as tyre companies attach a charge to any tyres that are disposed of at their business.

Cllr Evans added: “We hope the amnesty will encourage people to do the right thing and dispose of their waste in a responsible manner.”

The amnesty is being supported by Fly-tipping Action Wales and Keep Wales Tidy and their officers will also be at the event to offer information and advice.

Norma Greene, Project Officer for Fly-tipping Action Wales in the Valleys Regional Park, a project funded by the European Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, said: “With investment from The Valleys Regional Park programme, it is vital that we join forces to tackle fly-tippers and do all we can to look after the Valleys’ natural beauty. We need to realise the potential that the Valleys environment has to attract visitors and businesses in order to bring long-term economic benefits to South Wales.

“If you’re getting rid of waste following Christmas, make sure you do so safely and legally. This waste and tyre amnesty day being held in Cross Hands is the perfect opportunity to help local residents with big clear-outs. Householders should be aware that if fly-tipped waste is found and traced back to your home they could be held responsible and face possible prosecution.”

Sarah Philpott, Communications and Campaigns Officer at Keep Wales Tidy, said: “At Keep Wales Tidy we aim to raise awareness of the problems caused by illegal fly-tipping. We hope that this event will encourage more people to take better care of their surroundings.”

Amnesties are also being held in Ammanford, Newcastle Emlyn and Carmarthen during February.

Tidy Towns is a Welsh Government-funded initiative delivered in partnership by Carmarthenshire County Council and Keep Wales Tidy.

For further information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/recycling