It’s time for RCT to Be Mighty and Recycle.

Wales may be a small country, but when it comes to recycling, we punch way above our weight. We’re already the third best recycling nation in the world, and now we’re calling on everyone in Wales to join together to help make us first!

Recycling plays an essential role in tackling climate change and it’s a simple thing that everyone can do to help make a real impact. The last few months have definitely brought many challenges and RCT households and residents have been making sure that, come what may, they have recycled and that’s great news, not just for our County Borough but for Wales and the wider environment.

Since April, ‘mighty’ RCT residents have recycled over 27,100 tonnes of materials, which includes almost 5,600 tonnes of food waste. That’s the equivalent weight of 846 fully loaded recycling lorries

Recycling is now the norm in Wales, with over 92% of us recycling regularly as part of our daily routine. We’re recycling fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags and plate scrapings in our food caddies; recycling from every room including the bathroom and bedroom, and recycling tricky items such as empty aerosols.

However, almost half of us are still not recycling everything we can, so if we’re to help Wales reach the coveted top spot we need to do even more.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services, said: “I would like to thank RCT residents for continuing to recycle throughout this period, their efforts have been fantastic. If we keep this up, we will hit the Welsh Governments target of 70% well before 2024/25 – well done RCT!

“I know that the last few months have been exceptionally difficult for households across the County in adjusting to this ‘new way of life’ and I’m

incredibly proud of our mighty residents for continuing to recycle, despite these unprecedented challenges.

“As a Council we do our best to make recycling easy and accessible for all – with online recycling bag requests and deliveries, and a simple one clear bag system for dry recyclables. All of our Community Recycling Centres have re-opened to the public and I’d like to thank staff across our recycling and waste service for their continued efforts throughout this year. Keep up the good work.

“We should continue to be proud of our recycling efforts, but there is still more we can do. We know our residents care about climate change and want to do all they can to make Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf a cleaner and greener place. Together we can help to get Wales to number one and protect the planet by recycling more of the right things, every time.”

Recycling bags are available at key essential shopping outlets or they can be ordered for delivery online at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/bags. Kerbside collections have continued throughout and where there is a delay, residents are advised to leave their items at their collection point and they will be collected as soon as possible.

The Council now needs your help to ensure that we keep recycling to the same standards that we always have and show off our mighty skills – many residents are having a clear out and may find a few items that they need to get rid of. BUT if it’s not recyclable at the kerbside, please take these items to your nearest Community Recycling Centre.

ALL Community Recycling Centres are open 7 days a week, from 8am-7.30pm and now allow vans and trailers alongside cars to dispose of items. A number of strict guidelines are in place for site visitors and these are likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future – more details are available at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/CRCsRules. Both re-use shops ‘The-Shed’ based at Treherbert and Llantrisant Recycling Centres have also re-opened.

Tissues, wipes – cleaning or personals, face masks, gloves or any other Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) should be placed in your black bag waste – if anyone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus these items should also be double bagged and put out after 72 hours.

Residents are reminded that they can put out an unlimited number of clear recycling bags, but black bag/wheelie bin waste is limited to 2 black bags or 1 wheelie bin (lid must close).

For more details and tips on recycling in RCT, visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/recycling or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about the mighty mission visit www.walesrecycles.org.uk, look out for the ads on TV, on buses and billboards and social media across Wales or join the conversation using the hashtag #mightyrecyclers