Llanelli Rural Council Litter Picking Hub has become the longest active hub in Carmarthenshire where volunteers can borrow free litter picking kit.

Llanelli Rural Council joined forces with Keep Wales Tidy to set up a Litter Picking Hub, making it easier than ever to borrow equipment and take positive action to improve the community. They offer all the equipment needed to carry out a safe clean-up and have seen a growing number of volunteers regularly borrow litter picking equipment to carry out clean ups.

The hub was launched in September 2019, with the hopes that it would encourage residents to care for the local community and enjoy the outdoors. Since then, it has become the longest hub to run in Carmarthenshire, and the most active hub with volunteers.

Just a few of the hub's 715 volunteers who are helping keep Llanelli litter freeJust a few of the hub's 715 volunteers who are helping keep Llanelli litter free (Image: Keep Wales Tidy) Over 138 hours, 494 general waste bags and 230 recycling bags collected, and 81 litter pick activities have been recorded since the hub launched. These results could not have been achieved without the amazing work of registered ‘Litter Champions’, community groups, businesses, schools, and anyone visiting the Llanelli Rural Council Hub.

The hub as welcomed 715 volunteers and has acted as a one-stop for volunteers to borrow free kit, receive health and safety advice and to connect with other litter heroes.

Loaning kit is a simple and straightforward processLoaning kit is a simple and straightforward process (Image: Keep Wales Tidy) Councillor Martin Davies, Chairman to Llanelli Rural Council, said: “Thank you to all those that take time out of their schedule to tidy up our area. Being able to help facilitate local litter picks is something Llanelli Rural Council is happy to do. The collaboration with Keep Wales Tidy has worked very well and we look forward to continue as a Litter Pick Hub and provide equipment to the community.

Over the past five years equipment has been loaned out to individuals, students, running clubs, charities, voluntary groups and local businesses! Loaning kit is a simple and straightforward process, therefore if you want to give it a go, please contact the office where our staff will be happy to help.”

Dan Snaith, Keep Wales Tidy Project Officer for Carmarthenshire said:  “It’s fantastic to see the Llanelli Rural Council Hub is thriving, and that dedicated volunteers are using the hub to clean-up their local areas.

“The hub enables individuals, groups and businesses the opportunity to borrow equipment and tackle litter in their local community. It will make litter picking as easy as possible in Carmarthenshire, providing everything from litter pickers, hoops, hi-vis vests to red bin bags.”

Borrow the equipment and help tackle litter in your communityBorrow the equipment and help tackle litter in your community (Image: Keep Wales Tidy) The Hub is open from 08.45-1700, Monday to Thursday, and 08.45-16.30 on Fridays.

To borrow free litter picking equipment, contact Darren Rees at: enquiries@llanelli-rural.gov.uk, or call 01554 774103.

The initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Keep Wales Tidy are working alongside Carmarthenshire County Council to eradicate litter and waste.

For more information go to www.keepwalestidy.cymru