HOUSEHOLDERS in Carmarthenshire are being reminded that there are changes to bins over the festive period – but only for those with Friday collections.

Bins due to be collected on Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day) will be collected on Sunday, December 27. Bins due on Friday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) will be collected on Saturday, January 2. All other days are as normal.

The council is reminding people to put their bins out the night before as collections may take place earlier than usual.

The maximum number of black bags you can put out for collection is three a fortnight, so people are being urged to recycle as much as possible in blue bags and food waste bins.

Blue bags should be used to recycle all plastic bottles, cans and foil (such as mince pie cases), cardboard packaging, wrapping paper and Christmas cards.

Christmas food waste - including your turkey bones - should go in your green food bins, which are collected weekly.

Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at bottle banks and the council has increased the bins at some of the busiest sites to help recycle all the extra glass produced over the festive season. Visit the recycling pages on the council website for locations – and please do not to leave any glass or other waste on the ground as you could get fined for fly-tipping!

Don’t forget there are also changes to recycling centre opening times over the festive period, all sites are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day; and are open 8.30am to 12noon on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve (last appointments 11.30am). You can book an appointment on the website or call 01267 234567.

Please separate any recyclable items before you go - Christmas trees, electrical items and batteries can all be recycled.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We do tend to produce a lot more waste at this time of year, so it is important that we recycle as much as possible.

“Over the last few months with more of us spending time at home we have seen the county’s blue bag and food waste recycling figures increase by 28 per cent which is remarkable. I would like to thank everyone for all their efforts to recycle during this time, and please keep it up over the Christmas period as it really does make a difference.”