The week will kick off on October 18, shortly after the launch of the national recycling campaign run by WRAP (see letsrecycle.com story). The Waste and Resources Action Programme is jointly funding and organising The Big Recycle along with a number of major materials recycling organisations.
Alcan, British Glass, Corus, PaperChain, Recoup and packaging waste compliance scheme Valpak have all come together to develop the event, with support from the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee.
The event will see a week-long “high-profile promotional and educational campaign” encouraging householders to recycle through “major” advertising and public relations initiatives spearheaded by a leading celebrity. A web site will provide information to the public on what can be recycled, how it can be recycled and what recycling facilities exist in their area.
The Big Recycle organising team also includes international recycling awareness group Planet Ark and the printer cartridge remanufacturer Environmental Business Products.
Goal
Speaking on behalf of the materials recycling organisations, Andrew Hartley director of communications for British Glass said: “This is a clear opportunity for all the major material groups with a stake in recycling to work together towards our common goal of increased consumer recycling.”
Mr Harley continued: “From all our experiences of running recycling awareness campaigns large and small we know that the essential ingredient for success is the imagination and enthusiasm of local authority recycling officers and community groups in organising local activity.”
Steve Gough, Valpak Chief Executive commented: “Promoting the recycling message is particularly important as the UK faces ever increasing recycling targets. We hope that this project will help to really encourage householders, to ensure we can increase the amount of material we are recycling from the domestic waste stream.”
Local authorities
The Big Recycle organisers said the event will also provide the first major opportunity for local authorities and other recycling groups to use the new WRAP recycling logo, which forms an integral part of their advertising campaign.
As well as local authorities, the event organisers are also keen for schools to get involved. Planet Ark Co-Founder and former Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash said: “The Big Recycle will aim to generate real and measurable environmental change by inspiring the public to take advantage of the UK’s ever improving recycling facilities. We are very keen for schools and local authorities to get involved with the event.”
For further information and to register for campaign updates visit: www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk/thebigrecycle
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