Labrador Tubby is top recycler

Tubby finds the bottles and crushes them in his mouth before taking them to his owner for recycling

A labrador called Tubby has helped his owner recycle an estimated 26,000 plastic bottles over the past six years by collecting them on his daily walks.

The dog picks up at least six discarded bottles on his twice daily walks before crushing them in his mouth.

He then takes them to owner Sandra Gilmore, of Pontnewydd, Torfaen, who puts them out for recycling.

"I'm glad he's got a nose for bottles rather than bones," said Torfaen Councillor John Cunningham.

Mrs Gilmore, who is 51, estimates that Tubby could have collected as many as 26,000 bottles in his lifetime.

"He has got a real nose for them and has done ever since he was a puppy," she said.

He does a great job for the recycling crews as they come already crushed Sandra Gilmore

"He'll dig them out from anywhere and go under bushes and even into water to fetch them.

"I like to do my bit by recycling as much as I can - Tubby helps me to do an even better job.

"Tubby must be the keenest, greenest recycling canine around."

Mrs Gilmore believes her family pet is attracted to bottles because of the noise they make when he crushes them in his mouth.

She recycles all the crushed bottles in the black collecting box provided by Torfaen council.

"He does a great job for the recycling crews as they come already crushed," she said.

Enthusiastic

"However, it can be annoying sometimes as there is often something left in the bottle when he brings it over and it then goes everywhere."

Torfaen Councillor John Cunningham, executive member for operational services, praised Tubby's diligent recycling efforts.

"It's no wonder we are the best performing recycling authority in south Wales with such enthusiastic pets as well as residents," he said.

Torfaen council currently recycles 42% of its waste.