With Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentine's Day fast approaching, millions of people across Wales will be celebrating the occasion by sending one of the approximately 13 million Valentine's cards that are purchased in the UK every year.

In fact, after Christmas, this is the most popular time of year to send cards - so this year Waste Awareness Wales is asking us all to consider reducing the amount of waste we create by being a little greener and thinking of other ways to be romantic.

Councillor Richard Parry-Hughes, chairperson of Waste Awareness Wales said:

"We can all celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentine's Day in a way that shows some love for the environment as well. Traditional cards often get binned after the celebrations, taking up room in our limited landfill sites and wasting the resources which went into making them, so sending e-cards instead will help reduce the amount of waste we create. Better still; show someone you love them by doing something special instead.

"This year, why not treat your partner with a gift that is both romantic and kind to the environment - rather than heavily packaged gifts, give an experience such as a surprise day out or trip to the theatre."

Waste Awareness Wales ' top tips for greener romantic gifts:

• Send an e-card and  surprise your loved one at work  - find free e-cards at www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk
  
• Instead of buying a bunch of flowers, why not buy flowers such as roses planted in a pot so they keep on growing - and if you do get a bunch of flowers, don't forget to compost them afterwards.
  
• If you do want to give chocolates, buy ones with the least amount of packaging.
  
• Buy 'waste-free' gifts such as theatre trips, concert tickets or a surprise day out.
  
• Buy unique recycled presents, such as sculptures made from recycled glass.  
  
• If you're cooking a romantic meal for your partner, do your bit to help reduce the £400million we spend on wasted food each year in Wales by checking your amounts to avoid making too much and remember to compost any vegetable peelings afterwards.

Vale of Glamorgan

Kerbside collections
Vale of Glamorgan offers a fortnightly collection scheme for glass bottles & jars, paper and cans & tins. For more information please contact Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Bring Bank sites
There are 39 bring bank sites in the Vale of Glamorgan collecting a range of materials including paper, glass, cans, shoes and textiles.  For details of your nearest site visit our bank locator

Civic Amenity sites
There are 2 civic amenity sites in the Vale of Glamorgan:

Hayes Road, Sully
Llandrow Trading Estate, Llandrow

Hayes Road is open from 8am - 6pm in summer and 10am - 4pm in winter.  The Llandrow site is open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 4pm on weekends in Summer. The site is open
10am - 4pm in winter.

For more information please contact the Vale of Glamorgan council or
visit their website. 

Address

Recycling Team
The Alps depot
Quarry Road
Wenvoe
CF5 6AA

Call Centre 029 2067 3000
visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk