Council recycling officers in Carmarthenshire are hitting the road and giving away free compost bins. A number of roadshows are being held in the county over the next month and 50 compost bins will be up for grabs at each event.

It follows the launch of a new kerbsides recycling scheme to 10,000 homes.

The blue bag scheme has been expanded and food waste is being collected for composting for the first time.

Residents in parts of Whitland, Pendine, Laugharne, St. Clears and surrounding areas; as well as other areas of the county are included in the scheme.

Householders have been issued with a 25 litre green bin and kitchen caddie for all food waste. The green bins are emptied weekly, with blue bags collected one week, and black bags the next.

The move will help the county to meet tough recycling and landfill targets.

Residents are being urged to come along to the roadshows to speak to officers first-hand about the new scheme.

They will be able to ask questions and share any concerns they may have.

Further information on waste minimisation, home composting and real nappies will also be available. Local members have also been invited to attend.

The roadshows are being held between 11 am and 3 pm in the following areas on: Friday, February 22 - The Grist, Laugharne; Tuesday, February 26 - St. Clears car park; Friday, February 29 - North Road car park, Whitland.

The compost bins will be given away on a first come, first served basis.

Executive board member for the environment Clr. Pam Palmer said: "The new kerbside recycling scheme has been launched to 10,000 homes in the county.

"The majority of residents will never have had kerbside recycling before, so it is a change for them, and it will take getting used to, but we want to make it as easy as possible.

"We are holding these roadshows so that residents can come along to speak to officers about any concerns they have regarding the collection of their waste.

"There will also be lots of information available to residents on everything from home composting to real nappies. "I hope as many residents as possible take advantage of this opportunity to come along and speak to our officers first-hand.

"By recycling and composting more, we could all reduce the amount of household waste sent to landfill by around two-thirds."

The council sells compost bins for £10 including delivery, call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.

Compost bin giveaway

• Only one bin per household will be allowed. • Bins cannot be picked up on behalf of other residents, they have to be collected in person (see exception below).

• Disabled residents can only get a free compost bin if the person picking it up on their behalf produces a disability allowance booklet or other proof of disability status, containing the name and address of resident.

• Bins will only be given to residents of Carmarthenshire - (they will have to fill in a sheet with their name and address).

• First come, first served basis.

• Once bins run out that is it.

• No layaway service will operate.

• The council will not deliver these free bins.

• Bins have to be taken away by residents on the day.