Category: Council Services

Welsh Government has now published clear guidance for anyone working in the hospitality sector and for any one going to the pub or for a meal out.

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The guidance can be viewed here. https://gov.wales/hospitality-and-retail-businesses-frequently-asked-questions but the key changes are:

• It is now a legal requirement to wear a face mask to go into a pub or to go into a restaurant or café.
• All staff working in areas where there are customers will be wearing masks
• You must keep your mask on at all times except when you are seated at your table
• There will be table service only and you may not get up to go the bar. Orders will be taken at the table and drinks brought to you.
• You cannot mingle with anyone outside you table group or move around inside the premises
• You must not move the tables as these will have been laid out in order to keep people from different households a safe distance apart
• Even if you are only out for a drink and not a meal you must remain seated at your designated table for the duration of your visit
• If you need to leave the table for any reason, for example to go to the toilet, you must put your face mask on.
• Pubs and restaurants are likely to operating a booking system, even just go for a drink. Check before you go and book if you can.
• There are exemptions regarding the wearing of masks which will apply to some customers and these are explained in the guidance

And don’t forget you’ll also need to wear a face mast if you’re going by train or bus.

These new measures are there to protect everyone and reduce the spread of the virus. If they fail and infections continue to rise it is probable that more restrictive measures will be introduced.

Please do your bit to keep Wrexham safe

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It’s been a challenging year for everyone, and over the past months we’ve had to rely on some great people to help us work through a very difficult situation.

Our waste and recycling services have had to adapt due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and it hasn’t been easy for the collection crews. A lot has been asked of them, but they’ve continued to work hard to provide your weekly service with as little disruption as possible.

Thanks

Recycle Week 2020 is the perfect time for us to say thanks to the collection crews for their hard work this year.

Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The collection crews have worked extremely hard this year and we want to thank them tremendously for their efforts.

“It’s not the most glamorous job in the world, and at a time when everything else seemed to be shutting down, they had to keep going and adapt to the ever-changing situation. We asked a lot of them and they responded terrifically so that there were minimal disruptions to the collection services, at a time when people needed them more than ever. Thank you.”

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Thanks to you for your kind words

As Cllr Bithell says, it’s not the most glamorous job…but it doesn’t always come with a lot of praise either.

This hasn’t been the case in more recent times though. From March, residents took to social media to praise the collection crews and posted a number of kind messages. This didn’t go unnoticed, and gave a great boost to their morale when they needed it.

Cllr Bithell added: “At the most challenging time the public were fantastic and showed a lot of support, which was really appreciated. The social media messages were great to read and the overall positivity was a big help. People also recognised that we needed to look after the safety of the crews, and doing things such as disinfecting their bin handles was – and continues – to be really helpful.”

Continue to Be Mighty

The best way we can say thanks to our crews is by doing what we can to help keep them safe.

Remember, the operatives need to be able to pick up your recycling containers and empty them straight into the correct vehicle compartment. For safety reasons, no touching of the recyclables can occur.

If you leave any loose recyclables, they aren’t allowed to touch them, so please don’t do this.

If your recycling boxes/bags get full, you can leave the extra recyclables in solid containers next to your other recycling on your collection day. We’ll recycle the materials and leave behind your extra containers, for you to use again.

So, we must stress that the only safe way for us to take your extra recycling is for you to sort it correctly and leave it in separated solid containers for us – No plastic bags please. Unless you do this, we can’t take it away.

Thanks.

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As part of WRAP’s Be Mighty. Recycle. campaign for Recycle Week 2020, we’re being asked to conquer our cardboard. WRAP says that the amount of online shopping and cardboard packaging that’s passing through our homes is huge.

The good news is cardboard can be recycled at the kerbside, and although most of us in Wrexham are already doing this, it’s well worth reminding ourselves how to recycle cardboard correctly.

That might sound a little strange, but it can be very easy to get this wrong.

For your cardboard packaging to get recycled, we need you to do more than just take out your item and drop the rest of the contents in your paper recycling.

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Remove everything extra

Yep, and we mean everything! So, any tape, staples, bubble wrap, plastic film etc must be removed from your cardboard box before you recycle it.

Unfortunately, some of us aren’t doing this…we’re just taking our item from the box and not thinking about what other materials might be left behind.

In some cases, at our recycling centres, we’ve found clothes, rugs, food and mixed plastics in with your cardboard, so please stop and take a look what else you might be leaving behind.

Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The only materials that you should be putting in your blue sack or top wheelie box are cardboards and papers, so any bubble wrap, film or tape should be removed beforehand. It’s a small thing people can do to help, which makes a massive difference.”

Flatten your cardboard

To get the most out of your recycling box/bag it’s important that you flatten your cardboard boxes. If you don’t flatten them, your recycling box/bag will fill up very quickly and your unlikely to have enough room to fit your other cardboard packaging and papers in.

Remember, we can’t collect loose cardboard

More than ever, we have had to have very strict hygiene precautions in place, and because of this our operatives can’t touch any of your recyclables…so they can’t pick up any loose cardboard.

If your recycling boxes/bags get full, you can leave the extra recyclables in solid containers next to your other recycling on your collection day. We’ll recycle the materials and leave behind your extra containers, for you to use again.

So, we must stress that the only safe way for us to take your extra recycling is for you to sort it correctly and leave it in separated solid containers for us – No plastic bags please. Unless you do this, we can’t take it away.

Cllr Bithell added: “Taking the time to flatten cardboard so that our workers can empty your bags and boxes straight into the vehicle compartment – without touching any materials – is a really important part of keeping them safe. We thank everyone for their understanding on this.”

So, the next time that package arrives, please take the time to recycle everything correctly…it makes a big difference.

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We’re supporting Welsh Government’s “Low Carbon Heroes” campaign in the lead up to Wales Climate Week (2 – 6 November) and looking for an environmentally responsible route of lockdown towards a more prosperous and sustainable Wales.

Since March, Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives and many of us have started doing more environmentally friendly things.

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We’ve been exercising outdoors more, upcycling clothes, growing vegetables and buying local produce – many of them have resulted in reduced our carbon footprint and if this is what you’ve done we’d love you to take part in sharing your examples.

These solutions are not only low carbon, but are also helping people to become more active, reduce costs and support local shops and communities. In recognition of this the #LowCarbonHeroes campaign aims to highlight and promote the positive behaviours of people as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

You are invited to make your efforts known by sharing your experiences on social media, and using the hashtag #LowCarbonHeroes (or #ArwyrCarbonIsel, in Welsh).

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We declared a climate emergency last year and we know that people in Wrexham are keen for Welsh Government and ourselves to do even more to reduce our carbon footprint. That’s why we’re supporting this campaign and we want you to use the #LowCarbonHeroes in order to share your experiences.

“It could be you’ve been buying local and visiting the supermarket less, cycling and walking more meaning less fuel or you’re using less fuel, cycling and walking more meaning less car usage. Whatever it is you’ve been doing we and Welsh Government would love to hear from you.

“We’ve already done a lot before the pandemic by planting thousands of trees and planting wildflower meadows, installing electric charging points and using solar energy but we know we can still do more in order to reduce our carbon footprint even further.”

We can’t wait to hear your news so use the hashtag #LowCarbonHeroes and let us know.

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The Senedd Yr Ifanc has been working on their priority of “Our Environment” following a vote last year by young people across Wrexham.

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The Senedd’s next step was to find out which area of our environment they should work on and identified 6 areas where Climate Change can be reduced:

Protecting Nature e.g. Ensure long term survival of Green Spaces and National Parks, Discouraging the use of pesticides,  Exploring river management.

Recycling e.g. Ensure plastic metal, glass, paper and food are recycled correctly, Encourage the purchase of reusable products.

Transport e.g. Reducing the use of petrol and diesel vehicles, Encourage the use of public transport, car sharing, cycling and walking. (During Covid 19 – in guidance with Government advice).

Housing and Buildings e.g. Encourage Wrexham County Borough Council to ensure their buildings are energy sufficient, promoting – reducing Carbon footprints.

Sources of Food e.g. Encouraging consumption of locally grown produce, showing global benefits.

Energy Sources e.g. Exploring alternative and renewable possibilities of energy sources such as Nuclear Power or Wind Power, Reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Protecting Nature came out on top and young people across Wrexham will now be asked which area under ‘Protecting Nature’ they want to work on.

Look out for their poll at the beginning of October which will be asking for votes on:

1. Green Spaces
2. Tree and Wild Flower Planting
3. River Management
4. Crops and Pesticides
5. Preserving Life
6. Clean Up
7. Conserving Nature

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Young people are very aware of their environment and as it’s such a wide ranging topic concentrating on just one is a very sensible way forward. By giving it all their attention they’re likely to see results and I look forward to seeing how they will be doing this in the coming months and how it will complement the work we will be doing since the we declared a climate emergency last year.”

Alex Pengelly Vice Chair of the Senedd Yr Ifanc, said: “Protecting Nature is a really important issue that we should all care about. There’s lots we can do to help and I know that young people across Wrexham will all be willing to support the Senedd Yr Ifanc with this work. Its everyone’s responsibilities to Protect Nature’’. 

You can read more about the decision to declare a climate emergency here:

Y Cyngor yn nodi’r hyn sydd angen ei wneud yn yr Argyfwng Hinsawdd

Council sets out what needs to be done under Climate Emergency

The Senedd yr Ifanc is Wrexham’s Youth Parliament working with young people aged 11-25 on local and national issues.

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For the first time ever 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in the Senedd elections next year.

To mark this historic occasion we asked Wrexham’s Senedd Yr Ifanc if they would like to nominate a young person to speak on their behalf and encourage young people to get registered to vote.

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We weren’t disappointed and we’re now pleased to introduce you to Katie Hill, she’s going to be championing registering to vote among young people over the coming months and here’s what she thinks of the opportunity now given to 16 and 17 year olds across Wales.

“I’m Katie, I’m 15 years old and I am the Member of UK Youth Parliament for Wrexham 2020-22. This basically means I represent the views and opinions of Wrexham’s Young People, and so when the Senedd yr Ifanc, Wrexham’s Youth Parliament, had the opportunity to get involved in campaigning to encourage 16 and 17 year olds in Wrexham to vote in the 2021 Welsh election, I knew I just had to get involved!

“Many of you may be wondering why a 15 year old is encouraging young people to vote in the next election, I mean I can’t even vote yet myself and yet I’m telling others to vote! Well the reason I’m doing this is because I am extremely passionate about young people using their voices.

“Whether campaigning on a local issue, protesting for justice or voting in elections, I believe that every person should advocate on issues they are passionate about so that their voices can be heard. Under Article 12 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of a Child, young people have the right to be listened to by decision makers, and so I feel it is important for 16 and 17 year olds to have the vote and to exercise that vote.

“Even though I cannot vote in this election, as I will not be 16, I still feel privileged to be able to campaign on this issue and I hope many young people from Wrexham do use their voices and vote in the 2021 Welsh election.”

We’d like to thank Katie for the time she has put into this already and we know she’ll be committed to encouraging young people to register and ultimately vote next year.

If you’re over the age of 14 you should be on the electoral role – your parents can do this for you but please remind them to do it as it will be a big change for them.

Once that’s done you can register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

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To get even better at recycling in Wrexham, and to help Wales become the number one recycler in the world (we’re currently third), we will need to get on top of recycling plastic.

Did you know that ANY type of plastic bottles, ALL plastic food trays, plastic pots and plastic tubs can be recycled at the kerbside in Wrexham? So many of our household plastics can be recycled, and not just from the kitchen.

The plastics in your bathroom like shampoo bottles, shower gel bottles and bathroom cleaners (including trigger spray ones) can also be recycled in your recycling box.

Squash your bottles…it can be fun

Now you know which plastics can be recycled, the next step is to squash your bottles before putting them in your recycling box. This gives you more room and makes it easier for us as well.

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During lockdown, one of our Waste Strategy Officers decided to get her two children involved in this and created a fun game squashing plastic bottles so they are ready to be recycled.

In the game, plastics are lined up either side of the recycling box and the children then have fun squashing the bottles in a race to the finish. As the bottles get squashed, they drop them into the recycling box.

Take a look at the video below 😊

It sure looks like a lot of fun, plus it shows much space can be saved and how to correctly recycle the plastics.

If anyone has come up with their own games around recycling, please get in touch because we’d love to hear about them.

Consider this a challenge to be creative and let’s see what you can all come up with. Tag us in on social media to show us your ideas.

Don’t forget, cleaner means greener

When recycling your plastic bottles, trays, tubs and pots, do you make sure there’s no food or drink residue on them? Because doing this means a much better quality of recyclable material is sent off to be recycled into new products. When you’ve finished washing your dishes, before pulling the plug, give your plastics a quick rinse in the dishwater to get rid of any residue.

What can’t I recycle at the kerbside?

The most common things people try to recycle, which aren’t currently recyclable at the kerbside are all types of plastic food bags, all types of carrier bags, cling film, bubble wrap and crisp packets.

We also can’t accept any polystyrene items, hard plastics (these can be recycled at our recycling centres), toys, tupperware, sweet wrappers, toothpaste tubes, plastic razors, plastic cutlery, or microwavable rice sachets.

The re-use shop

If you’re looking to get rid of plastics, such as garden furniture or toys, and they’re in good condition, you should think about donating them to the re-use shop at Bryn Lane recycling centre…as well as recycling these items, you’ll be helping a great local charity too.

The shop is run by Nightingale House Hospice, and our three recycling centres all have an area set aside for people to donate items for re-use…if you’re unsure where these areas are, just give one of our attendants a shout, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction 🙂

Now we have all the info, lets all get on top of plastic and get Wales to number one!

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