Bin there – Joyce visits Carmarthenshire recycling centre

Senedd Member Joyce Watson paid a visit to Nantycaws recycling centre (16 Sept) to learn more about the company’s green credentials and community initiatives.

In recent years, the former landfill site, operated by CWM Environmental, has been transformed into a green innovator and sustainable power facility.

The Labour member for Mid and West Wales, who sits on the Welsh Parliament’s environment committee, was accompanied by Garmant councillor Kevin Madge.

Mrs Watson said:

“It was wonderful to see the incredible operation at Nantycaws.

“From refuse-derived fuel to the one million bees producing the centre’s ‘Merlin’s Magic Honey’, the wind turbine powering the site to Wales’ largest reuse shop – Nantycaws is at the cutting edge of Wales’ sustainability drive.”

The landfill at Nantycaws, which closed in 2016, now generates gas that powers the centre’s offices. The site also diverts 21,000 tons of general waste from landfill each year, converting it to fuel that generates electricity for up to 10,000 homes.

In 2022, with funding from Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire Council, the centre opened Canolfan Eto, the country’s first reuse village – comprising shops, an education centre, nature trails and a café. CWM also manages 200 acres of surrounding land, including wildflower meadows and freshwater lagoons.