Events are being organised across the country by local authorities, waste management companies and industry bodies who are taking part in the WRAP-organised initiative. Those involved hope to show people that recycling is the norm and that everyone can play their part in disposing of waste more sustainably – this year’s theme is ‘Recycling. It’s in our own hands’.
Recycle Week is being supported by Defra, with Environment Minister Rebecca Pow explaining it was a chance for people to learn how they can “move away from being a ‘throw-away’ society.”
She said: “By cutting our reliance on single-use plastics, ending confusion over household recycling, tackling the problem of packaging by making polluters pay, and slashing food waste, we will reuse and recycle more, helping to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it.
“WRAP’s Recycle Week is a great reminder of some of the simple steps we can all take to improve our own record and do our bit to reduce our footprint on our precious planet.”
“WRAP’s Recycle Week is a great reminder of some of the simple steps we can all take to improve our own record and do our bit to reduce our footprint on our precious planet.”
Among the local authorities supporting Recycle Week is Nottinghamshire county council, in partnership with its contractor Veolia.
The county’s campaign aims to capitalise on the energy of environmental activism and is asking residents to focus on getting recycling right in the county.
Veolia will be highlighting the importance of rinsing, crushing, squashing, sorting and separating recyclable waste – whether in the bathroom, the kitchen, the office or outdoors.
Councillor Phil Rostance, vice chair of communities and place at Nottinghamshire county council, said: “Taking care of our environment has never been so important, and recycling week is another great opportunity for the council to help support our residents make recycling an easy part of everyday life.
“The more we can do locally, even the small things, all add up and can help reduce the impact that we have not just here in Nottinghamshire, but across the country.”
Glass
British Glass – which represents the UK glass industry – is using Recycle Week to teach children about the importance of recycling glass.
It has announced that 150,000 school pupils have taken part in its Glass Guardians programme, which educates children about the recyclability and sustainability benefits of glass.
Children at the Fetterangus School in Peterhead won a Glass Guardians competition with their video of pupils singing a new recycled-themed version of ‘ten green bottles’ which calls on everyone to recycle more glass.
At Ysgol Maes Y Felin school in Flintshire, Wales, headteacher for years one and two, Tamsin Nellist, said: “The children loved the research element of the programme and all the practical exercises”.
“We’ve done lots of posters, plus some tips and tricks to share with local businesses on how to make the most of reusing glass. We even had a visit from the local Mayor who was very impressed with what the children had done.”
South Northamptonshire
South Northamptonshire council is another authority marking the initiative, and is celebrating its success as the seventh best recycler in the country for Recycle Week.
The council is asking households to consider how they can recycle even more of their waste as part of its campaign.
Councillor Dermot Bambridge, portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “At more than 60% our recycling rate is 15£ above the national average.
“But we know 80% of our waste can be recycled. So, people shouldn’t feel helpless, they can take matters into their own hands now and make sure nothing that can be recycled ends up in their black bin.”
Cllr Bambridge noted that the council have been providing recycling points for conventionally non-recyclable waste too, by setting up the council offices as a Terracycle recycling point for crisp packets.
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