BDR Waste Partnership

Recycle Week: Getting real about recycling

Check before you chuck is a key message behind the UK’s biggest ever recycling campaign.

South Yorkshire is lending its weight to the Recycle Week 2022 “Let’s get real about Recycling” event which aims to help us all get the right waste in the right bin.

Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield Councils, which represent almost 1.4 million people, have joined forces with the Recycle Now charity which runs the campaign from 17-23 October, to promote the message locally.

This year the focus is on three frequent questions that many of us have when it comes to recycling: -

• Does my recycling really make a difference?
• One item in the bin can’t hurt, can it?
• Recycling is so confusing, Isn’t it?

Craig Stephens, Campaign Manager for Recycle Now, “By recycling even better we can have a big impact on our environment. In South Yorkshire it’s no different – more and more people are recycling, so the next step is to make sure we get our recycling right. So come on, South Yorkshire, keep up the great work and let’s make your recycling better than ever before!

“One wrong item in a recycling bin from each of us can make whole lorry loads unrecyclable.”

Cllr Dominic Beck, Chair of the Joint Waste Board in South Yorkshire, said: “So many households across South Yorkshire are already keen recyclers and support us to protect the environment.

“However, the wrong waste in the wrong bin can stop good material from being recycled and this can cost local authorities and taxpayers a lot of money. Recycling in the UK saves 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year – helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which lead to climate change.

“By getting our recycling right, such as putting the right waste in the right bin, we can make an even bigger difference.”

Some items that need to stay out of recycling bins include:

* disposable nappies

* animal waste

 * tissues, wet wipes, cotton buds

* glass cookware – such as Pyrex

* plastic food wrapping, carrier bags and greasy takeaway boxes

Check what can go in recycling bins

What can be recycle at home will depend on which local authority area residents live in. The best place to check what you can and cannot put in your bins is your Council’s website or the Recycle Now locator tool https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator

Check what types of plastic are accepted

Although many items are called plastics, there are many different types of plastics with different properties that are used for different things. Therefore, they are recycled in different processes.

Your Council will clearly state what type of plastics they will accept in their recycling. For example, if it states plastic bottles only, do not add any other plastic items such as pots, tubs, and trays.

Some items cannot be recycled at home… but can be recycled elsewhere

Soft plastics like bread bags and crisp packets can be recycled at many supermarkets. Other items like textiles, electricals and batteries can be recycled at household waste recycling centres. If you have a specific item in mind, check your Council’s website or the Recycle Now Recycle an item page: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item

To find out more about Recycle Week visit www.recyclenow.org.uk/RecycleWeek

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Recycle Week

Recycle Week is the UK’s annual event to build awareness of and encourage increased participation in recycling behaviour. It is organised by WRAP under the Recycle Now brand.