Recycling centres to stay closed, say councils

SEVERAL councils in South and West Wales are keeping their recycling centres closed for now in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan councils have all given updates on what is happening with their Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

A Bridgend council spokesman said: “Our community recycling centres remain closed in line with national guidance, and the staff have been redeployed to support recycling and waste collections to ensure that these can continue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are closely monitoring the situation, and are working alongside all Welsh local authorities to undertake a co-ordinated approach to reopening sites as soon as it is safe to do so.”

A spokesman for Cardiff council said household waste recycling centres in the capital remain closed but the situation is under continual review and further information will be provided on the council’s website and social media channels when further information becomes available.

Carmarthenshire says its facilities remain closed in line with Welsh Government lockdown restrictions.

Merthyr Tydfil had planned to re-open its facilities last week but, following new Welsh Government guidance, its HWRCs remain closed and won’t be reopening in the foreseeable future.

All recycling centres in Neath Port Talbot will be closed until further notice.

The council says these measures have been taken as, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it now has to focus its “street scene services” on services that protect public health in its communities

All of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s community recycling centres are closed to the public.

“The Shed” reuse shops at Llantrisant and Treherbert are also closed until further notice.

The decision to close these facilities was made due to staff reductions and also to follow national guidance relating to social distancing.

The council is asking residents to, where possible, keep green waste and other materials for disposal until after this national emergency is over and the recycling centres and collections return to normal service.

In Swansea, recycling centres have been closed since March 24 until further notice.

In the Vale of Glamorgan, recycling centres are also closed.