10/3/2009

A Labrador dog named Tubby is to receive a prize for recycling more than 20,000 plastic bottles in Torfaen.

Twice daily he goes out for a walk and usually picks up at least six plastic bottles from wherever he can find them.

Then he crushes them in his mouth and takes them back to his owner Sandra Gilmore, of Cadoc Road, West Pontnewydd, who recycles them in her black box.

She estimates that in Tubby's lifetime he could have collected up to 26,000 bottles.

"He has got a real nose for them and has done ever since he was a puppy," she said. "He'll dig them out from anywhere and go under bushes and even into water to fetch them.

"Tubby must be the keenest, greenest recycling canine around. I like to do by bit by recycling as much as I can - Tubby helps me to do an even better job."

Mrs Gilmore, 51, believes her family pet is attracted to bottles because of the noise they make when he crushes them in his mouth.

"He does a great job for the recycling crews as they come already crushed," she said. "However, it can be annoying sometimes as there is often something left in the bottle when he brings it over and it then goes everywhere."

To recognise Tubby's efforts, Torfaen Council's recycling mascot Dan Can the Super Recycler will present him with a bone.

Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: "It's no wonder we are the best performing recycling authority in South Wales with such enthusiastic pets as well as residents."

Torfaen Council currently recycles 42 per cent of its waste.