2012 has been a year to celebrate all things British and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is encouraging residents to do the “right thing” and recycle more!

As the final summer Bank Holiday fast approaches and we look back on a summer of celebrations – from the Royal Jubilee to the Olympics! Its time to stick out that stiff upper lip and think green by reducing, reusing and recycling this August Bank Holiday.

With lots to celebrate, many residents will be hosting parties, which often results in more rubbish - from the disposable plates and glasses we use at bank holidays parties and picnics to the drinks cans and bottled water we gulp down in the hot weather, it all contributes to the 4 million tonnes of rubbish that is thrown away in Wales each year.

While we are all getting much better at recycling the waste we produce when we’re at home, it seems all too easy to forget when we are outdoors.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is championing the green fight this Olympic season and urging residents to take up gauntlet by recycling and disposing of their waste appropriately!

From dogs mess to cigarette butts and chewing gum it’s all litter and all these items can ruin the Great British countryside for the local community when their out and about this Bank Holiday!

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said:

“2012 is the year to be proud of all things British and is a great time to take pride in our local area by ensuring that we reduce, reuse and recycle more!

“Last year, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council secured its best-ever recycling collection rates, with 54 per cent of all household waste being diverted from landfill, thanks to the efforts of residents, working with the Council.

“This is the highest-ever percentage we have secured and we are determined to do even better in 2012.

“It is so easy to do your bit, think about taking your recyclable materials home with you and putting them in the free clear bags, food waste in the convenient caddy, leaving very little left for the black bag. It is all collected on the same day every week – simply put it by the kerb after 7pm the evening before collection and we will do the rest!”

During the Bank Holiday period the way in which the Council’s Streetcare team provides residents Refuse and Recycling Collection services will change.

All domestic refuse and recycling should be placed at its normal collection point by 7am on the revised collection days below -

Normal Collection Day

Revised Collection Day

Monday 27th August 2012

Tuesday 28th August 2012

Tuesday 28th August 2012

Wednesday 29th August 2012

Wednesday 29th August 2012

Thursday 30th August 2012

Thursday 30th August 2012

Friday 31st August 2012

Friday 31st August 2012

(Refuse)

Saturday 1st September 2012 (Refuse)

Friday 31st August 2012 (Recycling)

Sunday 2nd September 2012 (Recycling )

The five Community Recycling Centres will be open as usual during the Bank Holiday period – Sunday 8:00 to 19:30 and are based in the following locations across the County Borough:

• Ty Amgen, Llwydcoed CF44 0BX

• Cymmer Road, Dinas CF39 9BL

• Nantygwyddon Road, Gelli CF41 7TL

• North Road, Ferndale CF43 4RS

• Treforest Industrial Estate CF37 5TT

All of these facilities will cater for all recycling needs, including white goods, cardboard, clothing, plastics, light fittings, wood, glass, metal, engine oil, fluorescent tubes, plasterboards, old toys, paint, tyres, old tv’s and lots more. There will also be a reuse store so that anything which is reusable can be and this will dovetail into the new welsh Government Sector Plans for reuse.

Council offices will be closed on Monday 27th August and normal refuse and recycling collection service and opening hours will resume on Tuesday 28th August 2012.

Recycling has never been easier, with an efficient weekly collection service, free recycling bags easy-to-access community recycling centres, free collection of larger items, an ever-increasing list of items that can be placed in the clear bags and now food waste recycling.

Recycling in Rhondda Cynon Taf is free and easy. You can order your clear recycling bags, free of charge, by calling 01443 425001.

You can also collect them from libraries, Council Offices and One4All centres. There are a number of community recycling centres where you can take your items for recycling and a comprehensive guide to how you can get involved can be obtained by calling 01443 425001 or alternatively visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/waste.