County Councillor for Llangattock Jackie Charlton and three community councillors have spoken out about the need to tackle excess waste following a visit to the Brecon Waste Transfer Station to mark the COP26 conference in Glasgow.
The November 5 visit was organised by Lib Dem Cllr Jackie Charlton to help Llangattock Community Council understand the recycling process.
In September, the community council passed a motion recognising the importance of supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill or CEE Bill.
They are putting a local action plan for the village and ward, taking ideas and suggestions from many different expert sources.
Cllr Charlton said: “Seeing recycling for real in Powys, which has annual statutory recycling targets to reach of 64 per cent , rising to 70 per cent in 2025, was a real eye opener.
“We are in danger of being called the “waste age” even though so much of our household waste is now recycled. Sadly, it is often recycled to make more packaging that will once again end up at Brecon Waste Station.
“I want to thank the staff at the station for taking the time to show us their work, helping us to develop more informed policies going forward.”
Community Cllr Kate Inglis added: “It was really interesting to see how the items we leave on our doorsteps gets turned into bundles of different recycling with aluminium being the most valuable. The value of rubbish surprised me, but I do wonder whether that is the right way to see waste?”
Community Cllr Helen Burns added: “We need to find ways of helping people take more interest in the waste they generate and the value of properly recycling their household waste. Taking personal responsibility is a big part of reducing waste.”
Community Cllr Ann Williams was most concerned about soft plastics and tetra packs.
She said: “I was impressed with the all round knowledge of recycling by the Powys officers and how they would like to recycle more items but getting the process in place is not going to be easy. Really pleased they are looking at this right now.”
After organising the visit Cllr Jackie Charlton was delighted that the three community councillors from her ward were able to get so close to the process which we all take for granted once we sort rubbish into the different coloured bins.