‘Rescue’ recyclables during Recycle Week

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'Rescue' recyclables during Recycle Week

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To mark Recycle Week (14 - 20 October) Knowsley residents are being urged to 'rescue' items that could be recycled but often end up in the maroon rubbish bin.

This year's Recycle Week highlights some common packaging items - card toilet roll tubes, glass perfume bottles and plastic spray cleaning product bottles - which can all be recycled. The campaign has created a character for each one with a message for householders - Rescue Me - Recycle.

Now in its twenty-first year, Recycle Week (organised by Recycle Now) is the UK's biggest celebration of recycling, shining a light on the nation's recycling habits. The latest Recycle Now research shows that while we're a nation of recyclers - nine out of ten people regularly recycle - nearly eight out of ten of us (79%) put one or more items into the bin that could have been recycled.

Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley's Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: "It's so important that we do all we can to recycle as much as possible and that's why we're supporting the 'Rescue me' campaign.

"Most people are recycling, so the next step is to ensure everyone captures everything they can. Every trigger spray bottle, perfume bottle and toilet roll tube can be rescued and recycled - and have a new life when it's turned into a new product."

Why should we recycle?

Recycling has become an important part of our life as it gives value to our waste and gives another life to already used items.

Finding ways to reuse our waste also means that less carbon will be released to create new products, creating a healthier environment. It also stops waste from decaying in the environment, preventing potential issues such as plastic pollution.

What should we recycle?

In Knowsley, residents can recycle all of these items in the grey bin:

• Food/cereal boxes
• Cardboard
• Phone books
• Food tins and drink cans (place lids inside cans)
• Glass bottles and jars (remove caps and lids)
• Plastic - bottle shaped plastics only
• Envelopes
• Paper, newspapers and magazines
• Junk mail

What happens to my recycling?

Mixed recyclable materials collected at the kerbside across Merseyside and Halton are sent to two Materials Recovery Facilities - one at Bidston on the Wirral and one at Gillmoss near Liverpool.

Sorted materials are then sent to different reprocessing companies who use them to produce items that include everything from home insulation products to tomorrow's newspapers. The vast majority of the recyclable material remains within the UK, reprocessed into quality recycled products.

What else can I do to protect the environment?

Reducing the overall waste we produce is another great way we can all protect the environment. There are lots of ways we can do this:

Use a reusable bag

Instead of using disposable plastic bags when you go shopping, get a reusable bag and bring it with you every time.

Give your clothes a new lease of life

Hold a clothes swap for family and friends. Swapping is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to reduce waste, protect the environment and upgrade your wardrobe without spending a penny!

Or have a wardrobe clear out and donate your pre-loved clothes to good causes - like Cllr Shelley Powell did at the Willowbrook Hospice shop in Prescot recently.

Other unwanted textiles can be taken to the Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Huyton or Kirkby.

Refuse junk mail

Junk mail is a major source of waste, so take steps to reduce the amount you receive. You can sign up for the Mail Preference Service, which will stop most companies from sending you unsolicited mail.

Compost your garden waste

Composting is a great way to reduce your garden waste and create nutrient-rich compost that you can use to improve your soil. Find out more here.

Get electronic bills and statements

Many companies now offer the option to receive bills and statements electronically.

Reduce food waste

Food waste is another major source of waste, so there are many things you can do to reduce it. Plan your meals, store food properly, and compost food scraps. Find out more here.

Recycle Right

Recycle Right is a website that provides information on what can and cannot be recycled in Knowsley.

For more information on Recycle Week and how you can do your bit, please visit Recycle Now.

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