The South Wales Touring Park has been selected for a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award 2024 after making changes to its waste management system to comply with the new workplace recycling law.
Based in Carmarthenshire, the founders of the South Wales Touring Park have always been committed to being more sustainable and have continually invested in ways to become more environmentally friendly. However, after devising a new strategy for its waste management system ahead of the new law, its guests have been overwhelmed by how easy it is to recycle, and glowing reviews of the site’s cleanliness have led to it receiving an award nomination.
Prior to the new law South Wales Touring Park did basic recycling, including glass bottles, plastics, metals and general waste, but did not recycle food waste. Now, they have a specially designed area dedicated to recycling, complete with a sink for rinsing containers, a table for sorting waste and plants to create a greener and more welcoming environment for guests.
On 6 April, the new recycling law started in Wales, meaning that all workplaces have to separate their waste for recycling, with the aim of enhancing both the quality and quantity of recycling, helping Wales become a zero-waste nation by 2050.
Hywel, from South Wales Touring Park said:
“We started to prepare for the new law in January by devising a user-friendly system for guests and staff. This involved revamping our waste separation area with bilingual posters and signs to make it as easy as possible for our guests to recycle.
“The transition has been a huge success, with guests enthusiastically embracing the chance to recycle as much as possible. This has been highlighted in our Tripadvisor reviews where visitors have commented on how well-organised and aesthetically pleasing our recycling area is and have even described it as the ‘best bin area they’ve ever seen’.
“The waste management on site is not only easier, but it has also led to cost savings.”
The Touring Park’s structured approach alongside its guest education through clear signs, posters and guest booklets have also resulted in a higher quality of recycling, reducing contamination and improving overall efficiency.
To help guests with the changes, especially those coming from across the border, guests received a welcome booklet explaining the recycling system. They were also given a questionnaire upon departure to gather feedback on what they brought and how the site could improve its waste management.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, said:
“It’s great to see the South Wales Touring Park embracing the new recycling law. Their commitment to recycling and waste separation sets a standard for others to follow, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can go hand in hand.”
In 20 years, Wales has gone from recycling less than 5% to recycling more than 65% of its municipal waste and is now ranked second in the world. This helps to save around 400,000 tonnes of carbon emission every year.
