Negotiations to secure the future of the recycling centre in Llangadog have broken down.

Repeated efforts have been made to reach an agreement with site owners All Waste Services Ltd after the company served the council notice to terminate the contract.

Officers have worked hard to try and negotiate a solution that ensures adequate access and safe use of the recycling centre.

AWS own the Llangadog site and have provided the service and management of the facility on behalf of the council for a number of years.

The agreement will now come to an end on March 31.

Alternative arrangements are being made to provide recycling banks for residents at Llandovery Rugby Club. The council is aiming for this new site to be open for April 1.

Black bag waste, garden waste, electricals and wood etc should be taken to the nearest recycling centre at Wernddu near Ammanford whilst the council looks at the longer-term provision for the area.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “It is unfortunate that AWS and the council have been unable to reach an agreement that ensured the health and safety of visitors to the site and also provided best value for council taxpayers. Offices have worked hard to negotiate with the site owners and it is regrettable that the council will no longer be able to provide a recycling centre in Llangadog.

“However, we have been in talks with Llandovery Rugby Club and the committee has given the go ahead for recycling banks to be located there.

“It is important we continue to recycle as much as possible. We are currently recycling approximately 64% of our waste in Carmarthenshire, which is fantastic, but if we are to achieve the 70% recycling target by 2024/25 we need to do even more.

“Public access to recycling sites and services is a priority for us so we are looking at the provision of recycling and waste disposal sites across the county to ensure a service that is accessible to all.

“The council must ensure it has adequate provision and householders must make the effort to separate their waste and recycle as much as they can.

“I know residents are concerned about fly-tipping, and I share these concerns; but unfortunately there is a minority of irresponsible people that choose to break the law in this way, regardless of the facilities we provide. I can assure residents that the council will continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for this type of environmental crime.”

For more information on the county’s recycling centres please visit carmarthenshire.gov.wales/recyclingcentres A bank locator can also be found on recycleforwales.org.uk