Bedford Borough Council is excited to announce its participation in Recycle Week 2023, the nation’s largest annual celebration of recycling, taking place from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 October 2023. In its twentieth year, Recycle Week continues to promote recycling awareness across the country.
This year’s campaign, themed "The Big Recycling Hunt," aims to shine a spotlight on items that frequently end up in the rubbish bin that should be going in the orange lidded bin. Items such as empty aerosols, plastic cleaning product bottles, plastic toiletry bottles, plastic pots and tubs, and food tins will take centre stage. Residents are encouraged to find these 'lost recyclables' and ensure they are properly recycled, reducing environmental impact and waste.
Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, emphasised the importance of community involvement, stating, "Recycling plays a crucial role in improving our environment. As we participate in Recycle Week 2023 and The Big Recycling Hunt, I encourage all residents to join us. By recycling correctly, we can collectively make a positive difference. Let's work together to create a cleaner and greener Bedford Borough."
As part of the campaign, Bedford Borough Council will provide valuable recycling information and insights to residents. To clear up any confusion, residents can visit the www.bedford.gov.uk/mybins to check which items should go into each of their bins.
Bedford Borough Council offers the following top tips for recycling:
• place all clean plastic bottles, tubs, and trays in the orange lidded bin, don’t forget shampoo and skincare plastic bottles from the bathroom
• metal food and drink cans, aerosols, and clean aluminium foil can all go in the orange lidded bin
• clean paper and cardboard should always be placed in the orange lidded bin; try to break down cardboard packaging so you can fit more in
• never put glass, food, textiles/clothing, black bags, or sanitary waste (such as nappies) in the orange lidded bin, as these items can stop an entire lorry load of recycling being accepted at the recycling facility
• take glass bottles and jars, textiles, and shoes to the nearest mini-recycling site; a full list is available at www.bedford.gov.uk/MiniRecyclingSites
• compress, squash, stomp on, tear up, and minimise the size of recyclables to maximise space in the orange lidded bin
• encourage others to share their recycling tips and photos on social media using the hashtag #RecycleWeek.
Craig Stephens, Campaign Manager for Recycle Now, stressed the impact of improved recycling habits, stating, "By recycling better, we can significantly contribute to a healthier environment. Bedford Borough residents have shown great enthusiasm for recycling, and now, let's focus on refining our efforts. Join us in making our recycling practices better than ever before!"
Residents are encouraged to actively participate in Recycle Week 2023 and The Big Recycling Hunt. Together, the community can make a substantial impact on the environment, promoting sustainability and a cleaner Bedford for generations to come.
For more information and updates on Recycle Week 2023, please visit www.recyclenow.com/news-and-campaigns/recycle-week or follow Bedford Borough Council on social media platforms.
