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Tonight we will showcase the remarkable vision of young people throughout the county borough in how they combine words and music to send out the strongest of messages about recycling and improving the environment.
Recycling and a cleaner environment are one of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's main priorities and the level of investment made in both the recycling service and streetcare over the past few years has demonstrated this. We recently recycled 697 tonnes alone in one week, which once more proves our success story in this field alone, but this can only continue when even more residents consider recycling their household waste.
There are so many options available to them and the decision to collect batteries and clothing as part of the kerbsiderecycling programme is further evidence of our commitment to this incredibly important service.
Streets are cleaner now although there is still room for improvements, and key for us is to educate and raise awareness to residents of the blight that litter brings to the areas where we live. The awareness has to be undertaken in conjunction with enforcement, which we use as a last measure when all else has failed.
That is why events like this are incredibly important to us as we encourage more of our young people to understand the importance of recycling and improving the environment which will hopefully lead to their own families adopting the same enthusiasm to ensure we rapidly reduce the quantity of waste being sent to landfill sites and keep the streets cleaner. The message is clear, unless we see a reduction in this method of disposal over the coming years we could face severe penalties from the Welsh Assembly Government.
However, there is no excuse not to be able to recycle materials in Rhondda Cynon Taf with a first-class kerbside recycling collection service, a series of Community SORT Centres, pioneering food waste recycling trials and more items than ever being added to the list of materials that can be recycled.
The six bands performing this evening have written their own green message, including recycling, dog fouling, littering and smoke-related waste. The shortlist of bands performing in this showcase is Y Pant, Hawthorn and Tonyrefail Comprehensive Schools along with Pontypridd High, Tonypandy Community College and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaun.
Each of the entrants will receive a certificate as a token of appreciation for supporting this important initiative whilst the winner will receive £600, second place will receive £300 and the third place will receive £100. South Wales Police donated the prize money because of the eco crime and quality of life issues covered in the songs.
This will mark the second joint-project between the Council's Streetcare Services Team and Sonig Youth Music Industry, which is part of Cultural Services.
During last year's Enviro-Vision Song Quest around 70 youngsters became involved in the project which saw them attend workshops to write lyrics, compose music and actually record their individual songs over a two-day period.
Together we thank them all for their commitment, enthusiasm and hard work and congratulate them on what promises to be a very memorable evening indeed.
Nigel Wheeler
Service Director, Streetcare Services
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Shaun Smith (Blackout)
Stuart Cable
Jim Sullivan RCT Community Police
Kevin Jakeway Creative Community Project
Nigel Wheeler Service Director RCT Streetcare Services