 Competitions include singing, dancing, reciting and arts and crafts |
Organisers of this year's Urdd National Eisteddfod say they are doing all they can to make it environment-friendly. Thousands of young people are heading to the United Counties Showground near Carmarthen for a week of competitions and activities.
Recycling facilities will be provided for the 100,000 visitors and 15,000 competitors expected over the week.
A total of 22,340 attended on Monday, almost 1,000 more than on the same day in the previous two years.
It is staged by the Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the largest youth organisation in Wales.
The Urdd was established in 1922 to give children and young people the chance to learn and socialise through the medium of Welsh.
Competitions range from choirs to solo recitations, dance, science, arts and crafts, composition and the awarding of the bardic chair to the winning poet.
The location of the eisteddfod alternates every year between north and south Wales.
Last year it was held at Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, Denbighshire.
In 2005, it was centred around the Urdd's headquarters at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
Recycling bins for paper, cardboard, plastic and cans will be provided around the maes (eisteddfod site) at several recycling stations by Carmarthenshire Council.
Various activities to promote waste awareness will be held to encourage people to live a healthier and sustainable lifestyle.
 The Wales Millennium Centre houses the Urdd's headquarters |
Council environment executive board member Pam Palmer said: "A lot of people think that what they do as individuals doesn't have any effect.
"But the truth is every teabag composted or newspaper recycled makes a difference.
"Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to improving the environment and making it a better place to live, work and visit for everyone."
Environment Agency Wales will continue the festival's eco-theme by launching its World Environment Day activities to highlight climate change.
Sian Eirian, director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, said: "We take the environment very seriously at the Urdd.
"It's something our members care passionately about and as a result we're pulling out all the stops to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure this year's Eisteddfod is greener than ever.
"We'll be monitoring this year's activities closely and we hope to build on them for the future."
The festival is at the United Counties Showground on the outskirts of Carmarthen until Saturday.
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We're pulling out all the stops to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure this year's Eisteddfod is greener than ever
