The Ospreys completed their week-long community service initiative today which has seen them joining refuse collectors throughout the Ospreylia region on their morning rubbish runs.
So far the team has been to Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot and today they join Swansea Council’s waste team as they pick up the city’s rubbish and recycling.
The ‘Rubbish Runs’ have been devised to mark the beginning of the Ospreys 2014/15 season and their commitment to community service. In total, 18 Ospreys players have been involved in the activity throughout the week, which has been popular with fans throughout the region.
Early risers in West Cross and Mumbles would have been surprised to see Duncan Jones, Sam Lewis, Sam Davies, Ben John, Josh Matavesi and Eli Walker picking up their domestic rubbish and recycling.
The Ospreys were also helping to promote the Council’s ‘Keep It To 3’ initiative in which Swansea residents now have a limit of putting out three black bags of rubbish per fortnight in a bid to encourage a higher rate of recycling. In Swansea, kerbside collections currently pick up a wide-range of recyclable materials including paper, card, cans, glass, foil, plastic, food waste and garden waste.
Duncan Jones took part in this morning’s activity, after which he said:
“We’ve had a brilliant week helping out on the rubbish and recycling runs throughout the region. A lot of the squad have had a chance to get involved and get their hands dirty. Hopefully we’ve done our bit to raise awareness about recycling and to give back something back to the community at the same time. It’s a tough job and I hope that we’ve been more of a help to the refuse teams than a hindrance.
“We rely on the support of the local community throughout the season so it was out pleasure to give something back today. We hope that we can do our fans proud this season and we want to thank them for their loyalty.”
Cllr David Phillips, Swansea Council Leader, said:
“Our waste collection teams do a fantastic job in all weather conditions right throughout the year in Swansea, often without getting the credit they deserve.
“I doubt the Ospreys players were in need of strength and fitness training ahead of the new rugby season, but I hope joining our staff on a morning collection round gave them an insight into how hard and physically-demanding the work can be.
“We’re all hugely proud of our Ospreys and initiatives like this show how they continue to play a key role in the community. And our residents have done a great job since we launched our Keep it to 3 campaign too. Our statistics show us 1,300 tonnes less black bag waste was disposed of at landfill in April and May this year compared to the same period in 2013 and 1,000 more tons of recycling was collected.”
To see pictures of today's Rubbish Run click here