Residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf have all shown how bright they shine and how much they care about the environment.
This week marks the start of the launch of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s new Christmas Recycling campaign – ‘Be a Star Recycler this Christmas'.
In July 2023 the Council changed its black bag and wheeled bin collection frequency to 3 weekly in a bid to increase recycling rates, reduce black bag waste and lower its overall carbon footprint – to help fight climate change!
Thanks to the support of our ‘Star Recyclers’ we can report that since we have changed to three weekly black bag and wheeled bin collections, this waste has reduced by a staggering 1,500 tonnes.
Even more amazing is the fact that food waste recycling rates have increased by 150 tonnes – meaning more people are taking their inedible food waste out of their black bags and putting them in their food waste caddy.
Food waste accounts for over 20% of what is collected monthly in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The good news is that, out of the recycled food waste, enough energy can be generated to power around 1180 homes! A real shining light across our County Borough!
The good news doesn’t stop there – as RCT Star Recyclers have also helped increase recycling by 3.5% - based on the same period last year (Qtr 2).
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure said:
"I'd like to wish all our residents a Green Christmas and thank every one of them for supporting a greener future for RCT all year round.
"The festive period means extra waste and it's a great time to think green and recycle all the additional packaging, wrapping paper and cards.
"Rhondda Cynon Taf Council encourages residents to keep up the good work all year round. The Council provides an accessible and innovative recycling service complemented by ongoing public education and awareness-raising.
"The support of our householders towards our food waste recycling has been amazing so far.
"Keep up the great work, and let's all take the small steps to help fight Climate Change and make 2024 an even Greener New Year."
Christmas is a busy time of year, and the festive period often includes lots of extra food and presents. It is estimated that household waste increases by over 30% during this time, which means lots of extra recycling!
The Council is asking its residents to put all of the amazing efforts they have shown so far in to becoming Star Recyclers this Christmas and send our recycling targets out of this world in the New Year!
Residents can enjoy a sparkling holiday by recycling all their unavoidable food waste (turkey bones, plate scrapings etc), extra plastic bottles, wrapping paper, Christmas cards, real Christmas trees, tubs and trays, metal cans, tinfoil, glass bottles, jars, cardboard packaging and lots more, during the festive season.
Of course, the easiest items to recycle at Christmas are all the plastic and paper/cardboard packaging you'll come across during the festive period.
After the presents are unwrapped and you're wondering how to clear away the mountain of boxes, paper bags and wrapping paper, simply pick up your clear recycling bag and fill it up.
Please remember to put ALL wrapping paper into a separate CLEAR bag, including foil or glitter wrapping paper. Also, flatten any cardboard boxes and paper bags to make space in your recycling.
Residents can visit one of the many collection points across Rhondda Cynon Taf before the festive period to collect their recycling bags – find your nearest at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/bags.
The Streetcare Team would also like to remind residents to park sensibly so that they can get the recycling truck down your street.
To free up even more space, you can also visit one of the local community recycling centres (CRCs) to dispose of your non-kerbside items such as clothes, old toys and electrical items. Please ensure you sort your waste before visiting.
Our CRCs are open from 8am until 5.30pm every day except for a 3.30pm closure on 24th and 31st December and complete closure on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and re-open on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
Visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/ChristmasRecycling for full details.
Posted on 07/12/2023