Gwynedd Council is calling on more people to use their local recycling centre and to ask the friendly staff there what can be recycled so that the best use is made of the facilities.
Recycling centres can be found at the following places, with the majority open every day including bank holidays, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day:
Caernarfon – Cibyn Industrial Estate
Y Bala – Bala Industrial Estate
Bangor – Llandygai Industrial Estate
Harlech – Ffridd Rasus
Pwllheli – Glan y Don Industrial Estate
Garndolbenmaen – Rhwngddwyryd (off the A487 between Bryncir and Penmorfa)
Small recycling banks are also located at central points in towns and villages across Gwynedd which can be used any time, every day of the year.
The Council is asking people who use the centres to know before they throw – that is to take a few minutes before leaving their home to separate their waste so that more than ever can be recycled. Around 12,940 tonnes of rubbish was brought to Gwynedd recycling centres last year, 63% of which was recycled. This means that 37%, or 4,839 tonnes, ended up being buried in landfill sites.
Gwilym Parry works at the Pwllheli recycling centre and explained how he and his colleagues can help people on their visit. He said: “There are a number of different bins and skips at each centre so when people arrive we check with them what they have and tell them what goes in which skip.
“We take all sorts of rubbish here for recycling – from tetra packs to old televisions and tyres.
“We are worried that people are bagging everything together and throwing it in the skip for household waste which means it gets buried when it could be separated and recycled. I would urge people to sort out their rubbish before leaving home so that it can go in the right bins for recycling.
“Around 1,000 cars pass through this recycling centre in a week, but it gets busier at certain times of the year, for example after Christmas.”
Another member of staff, Gareth Hughes, added: “I enjoy working here and helping people. I like to have a chat with the people I know.”
For more information about Gwynedd Council recycling centre locations and opening times, and details of what can be recycled, telephone 01766 771000, visit www.gwynedd.gov.uk/recycling or pick up a leaflet at the recycling centre
What do the people of Gwynedd think of their local recycling centre?
Dewi Roberts from Pwllheli said: “I use the centre regularly and so do my parents. I bring things like plastic pots and bottles to be recycled. I find it easy to use, every time I have a clearout at home I bring the rubbish here to be recycled.”
Roger Adams from Chwilog has been doing DIY and was bringing old tiles to the centre. He said: “I think more people should use it. I hate seeing rubbish dumped by the side of the road, especially as people could bring their waste here.”
Laurence Court from Abersoch, said: “I’m bringing cardboard that’s too big to go in the blue box. I use the centre regularly and think it’s a good facility to have. I think more people should use it, and maybe save up their recyclable items and make one worthwhile trip.”
