Despite the scorching weather, around 80 people turned up to the Queen’s Hall, Narberth, for the launch of Plastic Free Narberth on Bank Holiday Monday.

The event, jointly organised by Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth and the Landsker branch of the Labour party, was a great success.

Those that rejected the beach or the garden were rewarded with a number of inspiring treats.

Firstly, Narberth Youth Theatre young performers read out individually or as pairs, a selection of thought provoking poems about their environment. This was followed by a short, stunningly beautiful film called Skye’s the Limit.

Skye’s The Limit documents Cal Major’s solo circumnavigation of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, on a stand up paddle board. The film demonstrated that even wild and seemingly untouched places like this aren’t safe against this threat, but how with simple changes we can all be a part of the solution.

Cris Tomos, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for the environment, explained what he and colleagues like local councillor Vic Dennis had to deal with in managing the county’s waste and recycling. He explained that the new administration in PCC had reached a point where they needed to replace their fleet of refuse freighters and this gave them the opportunity to review the service. They took the bold decision, at their March cabinet meeting, to move the domestic recycling waste collection service for householders to a ‘kerbside sort’ collection service. 

This would remain weekly, with the default container system being a food caddy, a box for glass, a box for paper and card and a reusable sack for plastic and cans. 

The range of items collected for recycling will be extended from the current range and will include lower grade plastics such as pots and tubs etc. and drinks cartons.

The domestic residual waste collection service for householders be provided on a three-weekly basis however a separate fortnightly collection service will be introduced for bulky absorbent hygiene products (AHP) to include nappies, colostomy bags, stoma bags, adult incontinence pads and absorbent bed sheets. 

The audience were pleased to hear that a small team will be established to undertake education and awareness activities as a part of the implementation process. In the longer term, this team will be authorised to undertake investigation and enforcement activity, including the issuing of fixed penalty notices.  

Nearly all then stayed for the delicious soup and bread made by Corinne Castle from Transition Bro Gwaun and the Narberth Men’s Bread Group. A wonderful seasonal dish on such a hot day.

Local Labour County Councillor, Vic Dennis said: “It was fantastic that so many supported the launch. The performers and the film were a great inspiration to us all. I would like to thank Cris Tomos for his enlightening talk and all those stallholders who have sacrificed their time on this beautiful day.

“Stalls were provided by Plastic Free Narberth, Surfers Against Sewage, Transition Bro Gwaun, the Pembrokeshire Remakery and Pembrokeshire County Council. 

“People have had the opportunity to wander around the stalls, exchange ideas and they have had an opportunity to make their pledges to PFN. We will collect all these ideas together and look to arrange a series of events and activities throughout the summer that all the community can be involved in.

“I am especially looking forward to Narberth Youth Theatre’s event on June 16. Wise Winny - is a little seahorse who makes a plan with the land people to save her world.”

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