Protecting the environment at Smallholder and Garden Festival
Ever mindful of its responsibilities for safeguarding the environment the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is setting an example for others to emulate by operating a recycling scheme to reduce the carbon footprint of its annual Smallholder and Garden Festival.
The scheme, which was introduced last year, will be repeated at the Festival on the showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, in May.
At least 1000 aluminium drinking cans are sold to thirsty visitors over the weekend of the Festival and since aluminium is a recyclable material the recycling process can be repeated indefinitely saving natural raw material and the energy required to extract the metal from the earth. Drink cans account for 42 per cent of the one million tons of aluminium used in the UK.
“The pilot recycling scheme at last year’s event was a huge success and we want to develop our services further making sure we divert more away from landfill,” said Jan Lucocq, project worker for Events Recycling at Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport. “We want the public to know that their effort of recycling at last year’s Festival was greatly appreciated.”
Continuing the environmental theme, this year’s event will again feature a Green Horizons exhibition which is expected to attract up to 25,000 people. The Festival organisers are aiming to increase the number of participating trade and demonstration stands at the exhibition by 50 per cent offering a wider choice of products as well as advice on sustainable ways of living and providing practical solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
The two-day RWAS Smallholder and Garden Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17.