Variety of council campaigns to promote recycling

Councils across the UK have been making special efforts to publicise and promote recycling and waste minimisation during October. Dubbed National Waste Month by the Going for Green organisation, “Slim your Bin” has been the theme of a variety of campaigns. In London, for example, Enfield London Borough Council produced the second in a series of guides to cutting household waste. “Wipe Out Waste” will be delivered to all residents in the borough’s pilot area for new waste reduction initiatives. The colourful leaflet recommends using durable goods instead of throw-aways and buying the right amount of paint or varnish for a DIY job to prevent surplus going to waste. Ipswich Borough Council, Anglia TV and radio station SGRfm have held a smart shopper road show in the town urging people to choose less packaging and buy products made from recycled materials. More than 40 councils across Eastern England are joining in with the Smart Shopping campaign which builds on the success of last year’s Slim Your Bin campaign in the region. People in Mansfield are being urged to learn more about recycling by claiming a free guidebook available throughout the district. The publication, “Slim Your Bin – your guide to community recycling” is the result of a partnership between Groundwork and Mansfield District Council with other partners including schools and community colleges. The second edition of the publication, it has been produced with funding of 5,000 from EB Nationwide plus 1,000 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental). Northamptonshire has also been spreading the “Shop Smart” message and has been running a series of radio adverts on Northants96. Part of the funding for the project has come from Shanks via landfill tax monies.