Zero Waste Scotland launches Recycling Sorter

The launch of the ‘Recycling Sorter’ coincides with Recycle Week which takes place this week between 20-26 September 2021.

The tool is available online at www.recyclingsorter.scot, and allows citizens to search what items can be recycled, and in which bin, in any Scottish local authority.

Campaign

The Recycling Sorter is the “centrepiece” of Zero Waste Scotland’s campaign, launched today (20 September), It’s Time to Get Recycling Sorted, which will aim to build awareness on how to recycle properly.

Playing on the reopening of nightlife, the supporting campaign assets feature a security doorwoman guarding the residual waste bin with a cornered off rope barrier.

Clarity

According to the government body, a third of Scots often are not sure about which items can and can’t be recycled.

It added that the tool should help “simplify and bring clarity” to recycling, ensuring that all households are recycling more of the right things.

‘Back to basics’

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, explained: “We know there’s confusion out there surrounding recycling different materials and products at home. The Recycling Sorter takes people back to basics and cuts through confusion. The user-friendly tool will inform people of what items can and can’t be recycled and how to prepare items for recycling – such as wash, squash, sort – and includes hints and tips to make it easier at home.

“The national recycling rate is not going in the right direction fast enough and we need to act now to transform our national recycling performance. Research carried out by Zero Waste Scotland revealed that nearly half the population could definitely increase the amount of recycling they do.

“Take action this Recycle Week, It’s Time to Get Recycling Sorted.”

Some local authorities in England also offer their residents online recycling ‘locator’ systems. These include Oxfordshire county council, Newham council and Surrey county council, which all offer systems that allows residents to search the recyclability of a particular item.