Carmarthenshire's EU funding boost for recycling initiatives

CARMARTHENSHIRE is to benefit from an £8million EU funding boost to help with recycling.

Deputy Minister for European Programmes Alun Davies AM has announced the funding for the South West Wales Materials Efficiency project, led by Pembrokeshire County Council in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council.

Backed with almost £5m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, the project will reduce, recycle or reuse thousands of tonnes of waste and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Mr Davies said: "Promoting resource efficiency by reusing and recycling will help minimise the production and landfill of waste, creating huge benefits for the environment, economy and our wellbeing. I am delighted that we have been able to invest in this project which will not only reduce our ecological footprint, but also help to create jobs and support sustainable development.

"Towards Zero Waste outlines our goals for reducing our carbon footprint and meeting our ambitious targets of becoming a high recycling nation by 2025 and a zero waste nation by 2050."

In Carmarthenshire, the funding will go towards establishing eight 'Adopt a Recycling Site' schemes, where community groups will be encouraged to manage local recycling and composting sites.

In addition, up to 20 new recycling bring sites will be developed throughout the county for householders to recycle their waste.

A Community Champion will also be employed to provide advice and support to residents on waste and recycling issues and hopefully increase participation in the green bin/blue bag kerbside recycling scheme.

Welcoming the money, Carmarthenshire Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: "We are delighted that this funding has been secured. It will be used to improve recycling facilities within our communities and to fund a community champion who will be able to advise householders on their kerbside recycling scheme and address any issues they may have.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for our residents to recycle. It is vital we reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill and increase our recycling rates. This project will help us to achieve our vision of a 'greener' Carmarthenshire."

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