Residents urged to recycle on the go!

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are being urged to recycle on the go – not just at home.

Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies visited Llanelli during Recycle Week to see just how easy it is to recycle your rubbish, even when out and about.

Council recycling officers and Waste Awareness Wales were in the town centre to raise awareness of the street litter recycling bins – and hand out prizes.

The bins have two separate sections – one for general litter (that cannot be recycled) and the other for paper, cans and plastic bottles making it easier for recycling.

So not only are you helping to keep the county clean by putting your litter in the bin but you are also doing your bit for the environment too.

And anyone who correctly recycled their litter won a prize.

Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “We must do our best to recycle as much of our rubbish as possible. People are used to recycling at home; now we need to get them used to recycling when they are out too.

“Hopefully these bins will help us to increase our recycling rate even further and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”

This week celebrates the 10th anniversary of Recycle Week in Wales and in that time recycling rates in Carmarthenshire have risen from 9.4% in 2003 to 53% today. But with a 70% recycling target to meet by 2025 there is still a long way to go.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said: “It is great to see Carmarthenshire County Council is encouraging people to recycle more, not just when they’re at home, but also when they’re out and about.

“Wales has come a long way in the way we deal with the waste we produce. However, it is really important that we keep up the good work and recycle as much of our rubbish as possible if we are to reach our challenging recycling targets, save councils money and help protect our environment.”

The Minister was joined by Llanelli AM Keith Davies and children from Pentip School also went along to the Spring Gardens event with lots of questions.

The school is currently working towards the Platinum award under the Eco Schools programme.

Andrew Osborne from Waste Awareness Wales said: “We are proud to support Carmarthenshire during Recycle Week and raise awareness of the council’s street litter recycling bins. Recycle Week is not just about recycling for one week but making recycling a habit of a lifetime.”

Keeping the county clean and safe is a top priority for the council. A major ‘Clean up Carmarthenshire’ campaign is currently underway across the county.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Carmarthenshire is one of the cleanest counties in Wales, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better. We have a zero tolerance for dropping litter and anyone caught will be fined,” he warned.

CAPTION: Pictured (left to right) are Llanelli AM Keith Davies, Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones, Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies and Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans.