W5 Belfast opens immersive recycling exhibit
An immersive exhibit has opened at W5 Belfast, Science and Discovery centre about recycling coinciding with this year’s Recycle Week, which is celebrating its 20 year anniversary.
The installation created by not for profit Every Can Counts aims to teach the general public about the importance of recycling drink cans.
Made up of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, the exhibit makes for a visual spectacle and visitors can share their own photos and videos of the Infinity Room on social media with #EveryCanCounts.
New research from Every Can Counts into the recycling habits of those in Belfast also found on average, people enjoy around seven canned drinks per week.
Out of these seven cans, 78% are recycled on average, and just under half (48%) of those living in Belfast always use recycling bins when out and about in public places, while only a third (31%) would take packaging home to recycle it if they couldn’t find a recycle bin.
Victoria Denoon, head of W5 Experience, said: “W5 is proud to work alongside Every Can Counts to showcase the Infinity Room Tour during Recycle Week 2023. The exhibit will be housed in our In Our Nature Zone which highlights the importance of sustainability, climate change and our local environment and is aligned to W5’s mission of provoking new learning opportunities in immersive environments where visitors of all ages and backgrounds can become fully absorbed and engaged.
“Like Every Can Counts, we are fully committed to inspiring the next generation to recycle and providing opportunities for them to learn about the science involved.”
Tata steel joins forces with UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative
Tata Steel, in collaboration with the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative, is commemorating Recycle Week by acknowledging the role of steel aerosols in recycling.
While steel aerosols are readily recyclable through existing UK recycling systems such as kerbside collection, magnetic extraction, and even post-incineration recovery, their recycling potential often goes unnoticed by consumers. This sets them apart from more recognised metal containers like food cans.
Nicola Jones, manager for Steel Packaging Recycling, said “We all use metal aerosols around the house, and they are widely used by businesses such as hairdressers and tradespeople. Yet there is a definite gap in consumers’ knowledge of the recycling potential of metal aerosol cans and separating them for recycling at home is not yet as instinctive as it is for most other forms of packaging.
“Tata Steel is joining the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative to help narrow that knowledge gap and help increase metal recycling rates still further.”
Manchester celebrates Recycle Week
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) are both supporting this year’s campaign.
The campaign focuses on commonly overlooked recyclables such as empty aerosols, plastic cleaning product bottles, plastic toiletry bottles, and food tins and it aims to raise awareness and promote better recycling practices during Recycle Week, particularly among children and families, encouraging them to actively participate in creating a more sustainable future.
R4GM has organised a series of events across their visitor centres and online, including educational sessions for schools, universities, and businesses.
The week will end in an interactive “Big Recycling Hunt” at the Renew Hub, where children from Salford’s Holy Family Catholic Primary School will search for hidden recyclable treasures. At the Renew Hub, items donated at recycling centres are repaired and upcycled, with one student’s chair design being brought to life by the Renew Hub team.
As a show of support for Recycle Week, some local landmarks in Greater Manchester, including the Tower of Light in Manchester, will be lit in green, and people are encouraged to share photos on social media using the #RecycleWeek and #BigRecyclingHunt hashtags.
Councillor Tom Ross, GMCA lead for the green city-region and waste and recycling said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Recycle Week 2023 across Greater Manchester. We’re proud that Greater Manchester has a recycling rate of over 50% which is one of the highest performing city regions in England, but there’s always room for improvement. The Big Recycling Hunt is a great way to educate and inspire our residents.”
Wolverhampton reminds residents about its recycling policy
Wolverhampton council is taking steps to remind residents of what should and should not be placed in their recycling bins as part of its efforts to mark the week.
This year’s theme, “The Big Recycling Hunt,” encourages everyone to seek out commonly missed recyclables within their homes.
To make recycling easier and more effective, the council has shared a list of commonly contaminate items that should not be placed in the home recycling bin. These include:
• Pizza boxes
• Polystyrene
• Nappies
• Garden waste
• Textiles, clothing, or bedding
• Electrical items
• Glittery cards
• Wrapping paper
• Laminated paper
• Shiny metallic paper
• Ribbon and bow decorations
Wolverhampton council emphasised the importance of following these guidelines to ensure the effectiveness of recycling efforts and to maintain the quality of recyclable materials.
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