AHEAD of World Environment Day (June 5), Specsavers Haverfordwest has introduced a new recycling initiative, giving customers a simple way to responsibly dispose of their unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging.

The initiative forms part of Specsavers’ national roll-out of recycling boxes across all UK stores, supporting the business’s ambition to reduce waste and work towards becoming a climate-positive business.

Delivered in partnership with recycling and waste management company MyGroup, the scheme ensures hard-to-recycle plastics that might otherwise end up in landfill are separated, sorted and repurposed into new materials for products such as joinery boards and furniture.

In 2025, Specsavers and MyGroup recycled 72 tonnes of material, equivalent to the weight of a mature blue whale. The amount, collected from 659 stores and labs, represented an increase of almost five tonnes compared with the previous year.

Head of Sustainability for the UK and Ireland, Helen Curran, says: “At Specsavers we believe that sustainability must show up in our everyday operations. Investing in customer recycling in every one of our UK stores is exactly that: a practical, tangible step that keeps valuable materials in circulation and makes it genuinely easy for our customers to be part of the solution. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the increased roll out in the years ahead.”

The expansion of the scheme means a further 300 stores now offer recycling facilities and marks the latest milestone in the initiative, which began in 2022.

Wayne Jones, retail director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, adds: “As a business serving the Haverfordwest community, we’re always looking for ways to have a positive impact beyond eye and hearing care. We’re proud to introduce this initiative locally and hope customers will support it by bringing unwanted items into the store during their visits.”

Haverfordwest residents wishing to donate old glasses can visit the store seven days a week.

To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.

Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.

TO CELEBRATE National Volunteers’ Week from June 1-7, local community enterprise Cwm Arian is inviting people to help transform their CoedUNO site, which is an exciting community growing and agroforestry space nestled in Tegryn. 

Thanks to a financial Community Grant from the Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG)- delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the National Forest for Wales programme – these free, hands-on sessions will run every Tuesday morning for the next few months.

The project offers a unique opportunity to step out into nature, connect with a friendly team, and learn practical, regenerative land skills directly from an industry expert. All sessions are guided by volunteer coordinator Kevin Rabbitt, an experienced horticulturist, woodsman, and agroecology advisor. 

Under Kevin’s expert guidance, participants will gain rich, practical experience in everything from tree planting and plant species identification to mastering composting systems and nurturing soil health. Volunteers can also delve into traditional woodland crafts and broader regenerative land management.

Because the team wants these sessions to be shaped by the people who attend, volunteers are encouraged to share their own ideas and focus on the specific skills that interest them most. No prior experience is necessary, and a supportive, welcoming environment is guaranteed for everyone.

This collaborative effort comes at a pivotal time for CoedUNO, as work is actively underway to transform the site into a fully inclusive and accessible space. The project has already made fantastic progress with the completion of new, mobility-friendly pathways. 

The next phase of development will bring a dedicated tool-shed shelter, a disability-friendly compost toilet, and significantly improved vehicle access.

Since  active construction is taking place to upgrade this infrastructure, CoedUNO remains closed to the general public for safety reasons. Joining these supervised Tuesday sessions is currently the only way to experience the space and witness its transformation first-hand before the official public opening later this summer.

The sessions begin promptly at 10:00 am every Tuesday morning, with volunteers meeting in front of Ysgol Clyda in Tegryn (SA35 0BE), where convenient roadside parking is available. Due to the ongoing building works, organisers ask that participants approach the site with care and observe all safety signage.

To book a place, share project ideas, or find out more, please contact Kevin Rabbitt directly at [email protected]. 

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has become the first fire service in Wales to install specially designed sanitary bins for men with incontinence.

The service has installed 26 male incontinence bins across 22 sites as part of the Dispose with Dignity initiative, led by phs Group and Prostate Cancer UK.

The scheme supports men who experience bladder leaks, including those who have undergone life-saving treatment for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in eight men expected to develop the disease. The risk doubles to one in four for Black men. Urinary incontinence can be a side effect of treatment, including radical prostatectomy surgery.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service employs 1,420 people, 81 per cent of whom are men.

The organisation has now achieved the Gold level of The BOG STANDARD Charter, which recognises employers and organisations that install suitable disposal facilities, provide support, and help raise awareness of prostate cancer and incontinence.

Kelsey Tiffin, from the service’s estates department, said: “Like many employers, we didn’t know this was an issue that affected so many men, but as soon as we became aware, we wanted to take action to support our team.

“We want to ensure that all the men at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue can feel confident to come to work, knowing they will have the facilities they need to dispose of their incontinence pads.

“Talking about bladder leaks is never easy, but it’s so important for us to do this and reduce the stigma associated with it, because prostate cancer is so prevalent.

“We really hope having the bins will raise awareness of prostate cancer, as well as being a good reminder for men on our team to get their PSA checked at the GP sooner rather than later.”

More than 2,170 businesses and organisations across the UK have signed up to The BOG STANDARD, with more than 21,700 specially designed bins installed since the campaign launched in February 2023.

Matthew Brabin, chief executive of phs Group, said too many men were avoiding work, social events and everyday activities because suitable facilities were not available.

He said: “Whether it’s going to work, a conference, to their local sports club or even to the local for a pint, when there are no sanitary bins, men with incontinence are staying at home, when they should be with us.

“This is what our Dispose with Dignity initiative is trying to change, and we’re so pleased to see Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue join the fight by signing up to The BOG STANDARD Charter.”

Nick Ridgman, Head of Support Services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically — but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loos.

“It’s causing men stress and shame, and keeping them from going to work and doing the things they love.

“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue is making the organisation more welcoming and accessible for every employee, and we hope other organisations will follow.”

Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can contact Prostate Cancer UK’s Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org.