Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has installed 28 new recycling bins across the town centre, communal areas and outside a number of schools throughout the town in a bid to boost recycling rates.

The Mini Street and Street Unit bins, manufactured by container manufacturer Taylor, were installed across the town after the council received a £20,000 Recycle on the Go grant from the Welsh branch of the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP Cymru) to encourage residents to recycle when on the move.

It is the first time that street-scene recycling bins have been installed in the borough.

‘A catalyst for change’

Speaking of the new facilities, Councillor David Jones, Cabinet Member for Technical Services at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “This is great news for the council and great news for residents, who now have what they need in place to keep the town clean and tidy.

“Now that we have comprehensive and visually attractive on-street recycling facilities, we’re confident that this will act as a catalyst for change within the community and that our recycling levels will dramatically rise.”

Merthyr Tydfil recycled 49 per cent of its waste in 2013/14 (just shy of the annual statutory target of 50 per cent recycling and composting), but will need to improve on this to meet the next statutory target of 58 per cent recycling or composting for 2015/16.

Mark Jenkins, Taylor’s UK Sales Manager, added: “We’ve found that over the last 12 months local authorities are making significant gains with just a few simple steps.

“Making provisions for recycling facilities gives people more options when it comes to waste and less of a reason not to recycle. By installing the Street and Mini Street units, the council has made a commitment to its residents and we look forward to hearing about the positive change the units will undoubtedly bring.”

Recycle on the Go background

The Recycle on the Go grant programme, which first launched in October 2012, saw £550,000 (through 35 separate grants) awarded to private, public and third-sector organisations in Wales to help boost and encourage residents to recycle when out of their homes or places of work.

Other recipients of Recycle on the Go funding include Wastesavers in Newport, Haven Holidays and Techniquest science centre in Cardiff.

According to WRAP Cymru, the programme had a cumulative footfall of five million.

Find out more about the Recycle on the Go programmeor Taylor.