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Y Plas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER, UK. phone: 01654 703965 e-mail: info@ecodyfi.org.uk

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Help conserve our environment and improve our quality of life

Ecodyfi, the regeneration organisation for the Dyfi Valley, has appointed two part-time workers, Kestrel Maranta and Tom O'Kane, to help the community to reduce its waste.

Waste produced by businesses and householders is an increasing problem. Just burying it isn't an answer because we're running out of holes. We have to replace the materials with new ones and these activities cause pollution. Burying material which rots is particularly dangerous because it creates methane - one of the most potent gases causing climate change. "Actually, much of this stuff isn't waste anyway", said Tom. "It's a resource we should be turning into valuable compost, animal bedding, paper products and so on."

Tom has already produced a leaflet giving practical information about where householders in the Dyfi Valley can take things they don't need any more, so that they can be re-used or recycled. He is looking for people to put it through their neighbours' letterboxes, so that everybody gets a copy. The leaflet is also available at ecodyfi's offices at 52 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, by phoning 01654 703965 and on this page.

The project aims to help people understand why recycling is important as well as how to do it. Initiatives with schools, community groups and local businesses are being lined up. For example, children at Ysgol Glantwymyn are bringing clean 'rubbish' from home and separating it in the classroom, from where some of the parents take it to the recycling site in Machynlleth. This involves the whole family and may set up habits for life. Ecodyfi will provide the school with a proper storage container and also hope to negotiate a recycling point nearby for the rest of the community.

Pennal residents identified composting as a priority and two individuals have volunteered to become compost advisors. Kestrel trained them at the Centre for Alternative Technology last week so that they can promote home composting in the village. In addition, Tom hopes to help set up a community composting site for garden waste in Pennal.

Kestrel is working with ecodyfi, CAT and Powys County Council to set up a door-to-door recycling service for Machynlleth town. She is concentrating on collecting kitchen waste but hopes to include 'dry' recyclable materials as well. One urgent task for this ambitious project is to find somewhere to compost the suitable material in hi-tech sealed units. "I want to create local jobs and training opportunities as well as saving the loss of materials", explained Kestrel. "We've been giving it all away for long enough!"