Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in Wales has unveiled a new waste facility that allows local residents to recycle their old mattresses for the first time.
The facility, based at Bryn Pica Landfill and Waste Recycling Centre, Llwyncoed, was opened on Friday (17 August) following £400,000 of investment from the Welsh Government’s Regional Capital Access fund, waste contractor Amgen Cymru and the council itself.
Housed within a dedicated 5,000 square foot building, a purpose built machine created by EBS Automation in Llanelli, has the potential to recycle 100,000 mattresses per year by breaking them down into component parts such as foam, fabric and steel springs.
The parts are then sorted into separate fractions in order to optimise the amount available for recycling. To help reduce the mattress’ volume further, the springs are also shredded, decreasing their bulk by around 90 per cent.
According to the council, over 300 mattresses are sent to landfill in the area every week and are also the most commonly fly-tipped item. The council now hope that the new machine, the ‘first of its kind’, could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 1,300 tonnes.
“We continually strive to recycle more waste in Rhondda Cynon Taf and reduce the amount being sent to landfill. This service is another example of the first-class work being undertaken by our Streetcare Team to reinforce our aims”, said Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Councillor Andrew Morgan.
”We encourage all residents to realise the benefits of this service. Such schemes benefit the local environment and help make this County Borough a cleaner and greener place to live and visit.”
Residents wishing to recycle their old mattresses are asked to bring them to any of the area’s community recycling centres or ring 01443 425001 to arrange collection.
For further details on the Mattress Recycling Project call 01685 372 902.
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