The Llangadog site is owned by All Waste Services Ltd (AWS) and accepts a wide range of non-hazardous waste materials including garden waste, scrap metal, plasterboard, furniture, glass, cans, paper and textiles. AWS has provided management and service of the site in agreement with Carmarthenshire county council for a number of years.
The contract to operate the site was due to be reviewed in March 2018, following an extension to the original contract in 2015.
However, according to the council, AWS said in autumn 2016 that it would need to close the site permanently for its own business reasons if the contract terms were not renegotiated. The council then negotiated an interim arrangement to keep the site open until March 2017. The council hoped to secure the future of the site by potentially leasing or purchasing the site and operating the facility itself.
But, in a statement, the council announced this month that both parties had not been able to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome to provide a facility that is “both fit for purpose and affordable”. In particular the council had been concerned about the health and safety of operations, as the area offered by AWS Ltd for negotiation was smaller than the current site.
Alternative arrangements are being made to provide some recycling banks for residents at Llandovery Rugby Club. The council is aiming for this new site to be open for April 1.
‘Unfortunate’
Councillor Hazel Evans, the council’s executive board member for the environment, said: “It is unfortunate that AWS and the council have been unable to reach an agreement that ensured the health and safety of visitors to the site and also provided best value for council taxpayers. Offices have worked hard to negotiate with the site owners and it is regrettable that the council will no longer be able to provide a recycling centre in Llangadog.
“However, we have been in talks with Llandovery Rugby Club and the committee has given the go ahead for recycling banks to be located there.
“It is important we continue to recycle as much as possible. We are currently recycling approximately 64% of our waste in Carmarthenshire, which is fantastic, but if we are to achieve the 70% recycling target by 2024/25 we need to do even more.”
Facilities
The council said it was “acutely aware” that the facilities at the rugby club – for clean recycling only – would not serve the same purpose as the Llangadog site and that a long term solution would be considered in the coming months. In the meantime residents are being advised to take their waste to Wernddu recycling centre while other long-term arrangements are made.
Cllr Evans said: “Public access to recycling sites and services is a priority for us so we are looking at the provision of recycling and waste disposal sites across the county to ensure a service that is accessible to all.
“The council must ensure it has adequate provision and householders must make the effort to separate their waste and recycle as much as they can.
“I know residents are concerned about fly-tipping, and I share these concerns; but unfortunately there is a minority of irresponsible people that choose to break the law in this way, regardless of the facilities we provide. I can assure residents that the council will continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for this type of environmental crime.”
When contacted by letsrecycle.com AWS Ltd was unavailable for comment.
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