Council campaign aims to improve recycling quality across Carmarthenshire
CARMARTHENSHIRE residents are being encouraged to take a few extra seconds when recycling as part of a new council campaign aimed at reducing contamination and improving recycling rates.
Carmarthenshire County Council has launched its “Wash and Squash” initiative, urging householders to rinse recyclable items before placing them in blue recycling bags and to flatten suitable containers where possible.
The authority says simple steps such as removing food residue and leftover liquids can help ensure recyclable materials are not contaminated, making them easier to process and more likely to be successfully recycled.
Residents are also being advised to squash or flatten items such as plastic bottles and cartons to create more space in recycling bags.
However, the council has stressed that not all recyclable items need to be flattened. Metal tins and cans, for example, should be rinsed but can be placed in recycling bags without being crushed.
The campaign includes an awareness video which residents are being encouraged to watch and share with friends and family.
Councillor Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services, said small changes could make a significant difference.
“Recycling is something we can all do every day, and small changes really do make a big difference,” he said.
“By taking a moment to rinse items and squashing what you can, you are helping to reduce contamination, save space in your recycling bags, and support high-quality recycling across Carmarthenshire.”
The council is also reminding residents to check its A-Z Recycling Guide if they are unsure whether an item can be recycled through the kerbside collection service.
Local authorities across Wales continue to encourage residents to recycle correctly as they work towards national recycling targets and seek to reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal.
