Council declares war on rubbish

The scheme is to help reduce landfill waste by 15%

A "war on waste" has been declared in Merthyr with the launch of a new kerbside recycling scheme.

A green box has been given to 6,000 residents who have been asked to put paper, cans, glass and textiles, into the container.

The scheme has already showed signs of success

Merthyr council, want people to leave the box outside their homes on the same day as the rubbish collection, the contents will be picked up by special recycling crews.

The scheme - which began on Monday - has already shown signs of success with twice as much paper collected on the first day as is normally placed in the paper bank.

Gail Pearce, the recycling research and education officer for the council, said the initiative was the best way forward.

It seems to have captured the imagination of many householders

Gail Pearce, Merthyr council

"This is bringing recycling into people's homes instead of people having to go to recycling points.

"We have got a lot of recycling bins across the borough but these can be a problem for people who don't have their own transport.

If the initiative proves to be successful the local authority plans to expand the scheme in January.

The project, which has had funding from the Welsh Assembly, is a step towards cutting landfill waste by 15% by 2004.

"It has been introduced because of all the sanctions that are being placed on the dumping of waste in landfills," said Ms Pearce.

"The first collection has been very successful - it seems to have captured the imagination of many householders.

"We have send a lot of literature to people's homes telling them about the scheme.

"I hope that the level of participation continues because this is a very easy way for people to recycle goods out of their household waste," she added.