WALES: Eisteddfod crowds back call for doorstep recycling for every home

10.02.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 6th Aug 2004

Welsh Liberal Democrats campaign to improve Wales' waste disposal problems has received widespread support on the Eisteddfod field this week.

Throughout the week, hundreds of visitors to the party's stand at Tredegar Park, Newport - home of the 2004 National Eisteddfod - have been signing a petition calling on the government to do more to promote re-use of unwanted products, crack down on excessive packaging, and urging all local authorities to offer doorstep recycling facilities.

North Wales AM Eleanor Burnham said: "Throughout the week, people have been very keen to support this campaign. People have been coming up to the stall and waste is clearly an issue where people want to see more action.

"Doorstep recycling has proven to be one of the most effective ways of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill, but talking to people visiting the stand it is clear it is also very popular. Lots of people throughout Wales want to do their bit and recycle as much of their waste as they can - doorstep collection schemes are an effective way of doing this, and is a big incentive to people not to throw bottles, papers and tins in the ordinary bin.

"Now we have to convince the Labour Assembly Government that this is the right course of action. If we are serious about building a sustainable economy in Wales which doesn't leave a negative impact for future generations, we have to do more."