New forum set to help environment (From Penarth Times)

New forum set to help environment

PENARTH environmental organisations are set to benefit from a brand new waste forum launched this week.

Charity, Track 2000, have set up the group to recycle waste and train people to repair unwanted goods.

Refuse disposal costs the local authority more than one million pounds a year, so recycling has to be the way forward.

The new forum aims to promote and organise waste and educational activities to help enhance the environment.

Tony Crocker of Track 2000 said: "The Vale waste forum will give environmental groups a greater status.

"It will contribute to employment and enhance the community. Greatly improving the quality of life for residents," he added.

The organisation will be registered as a non-profit making group and members will operate environmental social projects or non-profit activities.

These activities will include local community regeneration, employment creation, work- based training and social inclusion.

Any prospective members have to apply to join and will share the same objectives as the forum.

The Vale of Glamorgan is set to have a stronger voice in environmental and waste issues, while promoting and supporting sustainability through community-based activities.

The local council also propose to build a new resource centre, where people can find out about recycling and the importance of re-using products instead of throwing them away.

The waste forum launch took place at the memorial hall in Barry on October 4.

There was an excellent turn-out and it saw the attendance of many local environmental groups such as Keep Wales Tidy and Waste Awareness.

Jane Hutt AM for health, and Harold Rees, chairman of the Vale of Glamorgan council were also in attendance at the launch.