Residents reminded ‘Together – We Recycle’

Stoke-on-Trent Residents are being reminded that recycling correctly is vital to protecting the environment.

This Recycle Week (21-27 September, 2020) Stoke-on-Trent City Council is highlighting the most common recycling mistakes residents across the city make.

When contaminated loads of recycling are found, it can potentially result in the whole lorry full being rejected and the content unable to be recycled. The top five items most commonly found in recycling bins across Stoke-on-Trent which should not be put in there are:

·         Dirty nappies

·         Plastic bags

·         Food waste

·         Liquids

·        Animal waste

While dealing with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, from April 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, the city council collected 7,183 tonnes of blue bin recycling waste, compared to 6930 for the same period last year. Residents accumulated more waste over the lockdown period and residents are asked to be mindful about what items go in each bin.

New figures show that there is more care about the environment than ever before, with statistics released by Recycle Now showing that, through lockdown the UK has become even more environmentally aware, with nearly nine in 10 households saying they ‘regularly recycle’. Coming out of lockdown, more people are prepared to change their lifestyles to help the environment: 73 per cent, up from 68 per cent in 2019. An amazing 93 per cent of UK households say they believe that ‘everyone has a responsibility to help towards cleaning up the environment’.

Now in its 17th year, Recycle Week 2020 is a celebration of recycling, organised by WRAP under the Recycle Now brand. This year, the theme is thanking the nation for continuing to recycle despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, under the banner ‘Together – We Recycle’.

The city council’s environmental team is also working with Staffordshire University’s new intake of students to educate those new to the city about recycling and how to correctly dispose of their waste.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for the environment said: “We as a council are committed to recycle where possible- it’s important we all take steps to protect our planet. It is imperative that we all, as residents of the city remember to recycle correctly and put our rubbish in the correct bins. When waste becomes contaminated we cannot recycle it properly which means we are not protecting our environment. Recycle Week is also the perfect opportunity once again to recognise the sacrifices that our environmental teams and residents have made to keep recycling going throughout the pandemic. Waste key workers have heroically carried on collecting our rubbish while the world slowed down around them. Hanley Town Hall will be lit green every night this week to further celebrate Recycle Week and to thank our waste key workers.”

Residents can find out more information about recycling by visiting www.stoke.gov.uk/info/20002/rubbish_and_recycling.

Residents can check thir bin collections by going to www.stoke.gov.uk or visiting the MyStoke app.