Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees and get a free bag of compost. If you take your real Christmas tree to one of the household waste recycling centres at Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) or Whitland you will get a free bag of Merlin’s Magic Compost courtesy of CWM Environmental Ltd. The trees are taken to the In-Vessel Composting Unit at Nantycaws with the rest of the garden waste where they will be turned into compost/soil conditioner. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We produce a lot more rubbish at this time of year so it is very important we recycle as much of it as possible. Christmas trees are classed as green waste so please take them to your nearest recycling centre so that they can be made into compost.” There are changes to recycling centre opening times over the festive period, visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/recyclingcentres

Residents in Carmarthenshire have started to receive information in the post about changes to their bin collections. Due to the large number of households affected, the letters are being sent out over a four week period up until October 28. Around 65,000 households will be affected by a change of collection day; some will also have a change to their blue / black bag collection weeks. Some residents may also notice a change to their collection time, even if their day remains the same, and are being reminded to put their rubbish out before 6am on their collection day (and no earlier than 6pm the evening before). The changes will come into effect from the week beginning October 31. Residents can go online to check if their collection day / week is changing; visit i-Local and click on My House. Enter your postcode, select your address and click go. The current collection of garden waste will also cease from October 31 and will be replaced with a new scheme in April 2017. Further details ...

A Carmarthenshire reuse project is offering free collection of washing machines, electric cookers, tumble dryers and dishwashers for a limited time only. Gwyn i Wyrdd (white to green) usually charges £10 to collect up to three appliances – but from June 1 to July 29 they will collect for free. The unwanted electrical appliances are taken to the workshop in Cross Hands where they are repaired and cleaned and then sold on. As well as promoting repair, reuse and recycling, the scheme provides opportunities for training for adults with disabilities and individuals seeking work experience and training. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “It is such a waste to buy something new when it can easily be repaired. This is an excellent project which is providing a free collection of white goods that people no longer want, jobs and training for those that need it, and quality electrical appliances at reasonable prices.” All appliances are repaired and tested to Bri...

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being urged to give home composting a go and take advantage of a one day half price compost bin sale. The council’s waste and recycling section is supporting Compost Awareness Week and is selling compost bins for just £6. The sale is being held at the Co-op car park in Cross Hands on Wednesday, May 4, from 9am to 2pm. The 330 litre compost bins are available to Carmarthenshire residents only and must be collected on the day (no delivery) with only one bin per address. It includes a free composting guide with every purchase. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Many people don’t realise just how easy it is to home compost or just how much of their household waste can actually be composted. Grass and hedge clippings, veg peelings, egg shells, tea bags and even shredded cardboard can go into your compost bin.” Helping to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill, you will also be left with a nutrient rich compost ...

Carmarthenshire residents are being reminded that there are changes to bin collections over the Easter holidays. From Friday, March 25 until Friday, April 1, collections will take place one day later than usual. So for example, if your collection is due on Friday it won’t be picked up until Saturday and so on. Remember to recycle using your blue bags - it is estimated that 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought in the UK every year, that’s a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging! And if you are making a big Easter lunch for all the family, make sure you either compost your vegetable peelings or they go into your food bin along with any leftovers. The recycling centres in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland are open as usual over the Easter period except Llangadog which is closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Did you know that you can now sign up for text or email alerts on a range of council services including recycling ...

A new fleet of refuse collection vehicles will be delivered in the autumn. Costing approximately £4million, the fleet of 28 vehicles will provide a more efficient service to the public and help the council to achieve its recycling targets. The majority of the vehicles will have a separate pod at the front to keep food waste separate from blue/black bags. The delivery of the new vehicles will result in some changes to the refuse collection routes across the county. However, households affected by any changes will be notified directly nearer the time. Director of Environment Ruth Mullen said: “The new vehicles, together with the introduction of new collection routes, will result in a much more efficient service. As we introduce these changes we will do our best to keep disruption to residents to a minimum, leading to an improved service moving forward. “We are currently recycling around 60% of our rubbish and the new vehicles will help us to achieve the national recycling target of 70%...

Some 313 tonnes of used blue bags were recycled last year – that’s the same weight as 73 African elephants! Blue bags are taken to the Materials Recycling Facility in Nantycaws, Carmarthen, to be sorted. But it is not only the paper, cardboard, plastic and cans that are sent on to processing plants to be made into new products, the blue bags themselves are too so they can be used again. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “A lot of people want to know what happens to their blue bag after all the items in it are sorted for recycling. “It is good to know that the bags are also sent to be recycled and it is important that residents are reassured that as much as possible is recycled.” Figures show that approximately 60% of rubbish in Carmarthenshire is being recycled, but the Welsh Government has set a target of 70% to achieve by 2024/25. Cllr Evans added: “I would like to thank householders for all their efforts; it is important we keep up the good work and...

New figures published show that people in Carmarthenshire are recycling more - and sending less rubbish to landfill. A total of 59.6% was reused, recycled and composted in the county during 2014/15, a four per cent increase on the previous year, according to the WasteDataFlow report. This means Carmarthenshire has not only achieved but already exceeded the 58% statutory recycling target set for 2015/16 and is in the top five best performing local authorities in Wales. The 2014/15 Landfill Allowances Scheme (LAS) report has also been released by Natural Resources Wales yesterday (October 8) which shows the county has also significantly reduced the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill. Carmarthenshire had an allowance of 23,151 tonnes but sent only 7,175 tonnes to landfill – just 31% of its allowance. The Landfill Allowances Scheme limits the amount of biodegradable waste - such as paper, cardboard and food waste - that councils are allowed to send to landfill. Ca...

A Gwendraeth Valley man has been fined £300 for leaving bags of glass on the ground at a recycling site. Joseph Edward Malcolm Smith, aged 19, of The Dingles, Cwmgwili, was seen by council environmental enforcement officers leaving three bags of glass next to the recycling banks in the Co-op car park in Cross Hands. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75 for the offence, which happened on February 15 this year, but failed to pay it. Smith failed to attend Carmarthen Magistrates Court and the case against him was proven in his absence. He was prosecuted for an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and was also ordered to pay £158 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Our recycling sites are important facilities for the local community and they need to be kept tidy but unfortunately some people are too lazy to use the recycling banks so just leave them on t...

Residents in Ammanford are being urged to take up the challenge to recycle at least one more item from around the home. The council’s recycling team will be in Quay Street in the town centre on Friday, September 11 between 10am and 3pm to encourage people to recycle as much as possible, and not just in the kitchen. They will be able to answer any general recycling questions and will have information leaflets as well as blue bags and replacement food bins for those that need them. Executive Board Member for Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Most people regularly recycle items like plastic milk bottles and glass jars, but it’s just as easy to recycle many other items from the bathroom, living room and even the bedroom. “Empty aerosol cans, plastic coat hangers, toilet roll tubes, toothpaste boxes, shampoo/shower gel bottles, bottle tops, receipts and envelopes can all be recycled in your blue bag.” Figures show that approximately 60% of rubbish in Carmarthenshire is being recycled, b...

Recycling rates in Carmarthenshire are continuing to rise and residents are being congratulated for all their hard work. Provisional figures released for 2014/15 show we are recycling approximately 60% of our rubbish here in Carmarthenshire, which means we have already achieved the Welsh Government target of 58% for 2015/16. The all Wales recycling figure is 56%. The Statistics for Wales report show the combined reuse, recycling and composting rates for all local authorities in Wales. Carmarthenshire achieved a four per cent increase on the previous year. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “I am delighted that here in Carmarthenshire we have not only met but already exceeded this year’s statutory target of 58% and I cannot thank residents enough for all their efforts. “We have come a long way since 2003 when we were recycling just 9.4% of our rubbish, and we could not have achieved this figure without the co-operation of householders.” A number of ini...

A man has been fined after he dumped a load of blue bags at one of Carmarthenshire Council’s recycling sites. Council environmental enforcement officers received a complaint of waste being dumped on the ground next to the recycling banks in Llanybydder car park. The site has recycling banks for glass, cans, paper, textiles and shoes, small electrical and books, CDs and DVDs. There is no facility for recycling blue bags at the site. Officers managed to trace the man responsible for dumping the bags and he was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75. If he doesn’t pay he could be prosecuted in court and fined up to £2,500. People are being reminded that blue bags should be put out for collection at the kerbside or taken to a main household waste centre. Glass bottles and other recyclable waste must be placed into the banks and not left on the ground. If they are full please report it to the council. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said:...

A man has been fined after he dumped a load of blue bags at one of the council’s recycling sites. Council environmental enforcement officers received a complaint of waste being dumped on the ground next to the recycling banks in Llanybydder car park. The site has recycling banks for glass, cans, paper, textiles and shoes, small electrical and books, CDs and DVDs. There is no facility for recycling blue bags at the site. Officers managed to trace the man responsible for dumping the bags and he was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75. If he doesn’t pay he could be prosecuted in court and fined up to £2,500. People are being reminded that blue bags should be put out for collection at the kerbside or taken to a main household waste centre. Glass bottles and other recyclable waste must be placed into the banks and not left on the ground. If they are full please report it to the council. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “We are ver...

Recycling officers have been spreading the recycling message to shoppers in Carmarthen. They were in the town centre during Recycle Week to encourage residents to recycle at least one more thing from around the home. As well as offering help and advice, they also had a stock of replacement food bins and blue bags for householders that needed them. Community recycling advisor Geinor Lewis said: “It was great to talk to so many people that were interested in hearing about what less common items could be recycled in their blue bags; for example, empty aerosol cans, toilet roll tubes, and shampoo/shower gel bottles. “Recycling isn’t restricted to just the kitchen; it’s just as easy to recycle items from the bathroom, living room and even the bedroom.” Figures show that approximately 60% of rubbish in Carmarthenshire is being recycled, but with a target of 70% to reach by 2024/25, there is still a long way to go. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We wan...

Residents in Llanelli have taken up the challenge to recycle at least one more item from around the home. Recycling officers were in the St Elli Shopping Centre during Recycle Week to encourage people to recycle all around the home, not just in the kitchen. They also had a stock of replacement food bins and blue bags for householders that needed them. Waste minimisation and recycling officer Karen Fulham said: “It’s just as easy to recycle items from the bathroom, living room and even the bedroom from empty aerosol cans, plastic coat hangers and toilet roll tubes to bottle tops, receipts and envelopes. “It was great to talk to so many people; hopefully if we all recycle just a little bit more, we can make a big difference.” Figures show that approximately 60% of rubbish in Carmarthenshire is being recycled, but the Welsh Government has set a target of 70% to achieve by 2024/25; or risk large financial penalties. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Hazel Evans said: “I ...

It's Real Nappy Week from April 20-26 and we have 10 free real nappy trial packs up for grabs. Carmarthenshire Council’s waste and recycling section has teamed up with local real nappy stockist Nappy Go Lucky to raise awareness on the benefits of using real nappies and will be in Guildhall Square in Carmarthen on Wednesday, April 22 between 10am and 3pm. And the first 10 Carmarthenshire parents to come and see us will get a free trial pack. Modern washable nappies are easy to use; better for the environment and can save you money. They are also fun, fashionable and come in a range of styles designs and colours, from denim, spots, to ruffles. Council waste minimisation/recycling officer Karen Fulham said: “More and more parents are discovering the benefits of real nappies. With today’s modern designs, washing machines and the use of flushable liners, using real nappies couldn’t be easier. Many fasten with fabric fasteners or poppers and can be washed along with your baby’s clothes...

Carmarthenshire residents are being reminded that there are changes to bin collections over the Easter holidays. From Friday, April 3 until Friday, April 10, collections will take place one day later than usual. So for example, if your collection is due on Friday it won’t be picked up until Saturday and so on. Remember to recycle using your blue bags - it is estimated that 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought in the UK every year, that’s a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging! You could also cut down on all that eggs-tra waste by making your own Easter treats such as chocolate cornflake cakes or bunny-shaped biscuits. And if you are making a big Easter lunch for all the family, make sure you either compost your vegetable peelings or they go into your food bin along with any leftovers. The recycling centres in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland are open as usual over the Easter period except Llangadog which is closed Good Friday, Eas...

A community fun day held during half term attracted families from across the Tyisha ward. The council’s Recycling Advisors organised the event at St Barnabus Hall on Llewellyn Street. As well as fun and games for the children; there was lots of information on recycling , replacement food bins and blue bags. Also in attendance were council housing and road safety officers, the fire service, local police and Communities First with advice including energy efficiency, home repairs and adaptations for the elderly. Community Recycling Advisor Geinor Lewis said: “We had a really successful day; it was a chance for residents to come along and have a chat with us about their recycling scheme and also speak to our partners for advice on a wide range of issues. “As it was held during half term we had fun activities for children and food.” The council received funding from the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government, for the recycling advisor posts. The project is part ...

It’s now easy to recycle glass in Pencader again. A long awaited glass recycling bank area has been placed in the village again following the banks being removed earlier this year from Cae’r Felin school because of vandalism and break-ins at the school. Since then Carmarthenshire County Council Street Scene officers have been working with local county councillor Linda Evans to find a suitable location in the village. The banks can now be found in the car park of the village chip shop Branneys Fish Bar. Cllr Linda Evans thanked Branneys Fish Bar owner Tina Evans. She added: “I’d like to thank the community for being patient whilst we found a location and also Tina for allowing us to place the recycling banks in her car park. I would now urge the community to use this facility and it is also important that they look after and respect it.” To find out where your local recycling banks are visit i-local

Are you a member of a group or society and would like to find out more about recycling? The council’s waste and recycling section are urging any groups or associations in the county to get in touch if they would like to find out about ways to reuse, reduce and recycle waste and answer any questions people may have on the county’s recycling scheme. Other topics discussed are what rubbish can be placed into blue bags, what happens to waste after it has been collected and more information on the weekly food waste bin collections as well as more information on the county’s scheme for residents over 50-years-old who are unable to get to their nearest glass recycling centre. Officers have already spoken to many groups and organisations such as WI’s and Senior Citizen groups in the county but would be happy to hear from any other groups who would be interested in finding out more or asking any questions. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “Events like t...