South Tynesiders urged to step up their efforts for National Recycle Week

National Recycle Week, which starts today, aims to get more people recycling more items, more often.

The theme of the week is ‘Recycling – it’s worth it’ and aims to highlight how recycling just one extra item per household can significantly reduce the total amount of waste sent to landfill - and bring huge benefits to the environment and local communities.

Coun Moira Smith, lead member for area management and community safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “While recycling may seem like a bit of a chore for some people, the benefits are huge.

“Recycling just a few extra items from around the house and seeing them reused with a new purpose can make a real difference to cutting waste, saving energy and safeguarding our planet for future generations.”

She added: “We support any initiative which encourages a change in behaviour when it comes to recycling.

“It is also an ideal opportunity to remind people about the materials that can and cannot be accepted through our local doorstep recycling scheme.”

Recycle Week is led by UK charity Wrap (Waste and Resource Action Programme) and new figures show that while almost 90 per cent of the UK’s recycled materials come from the kitchen, only 52% of bathroom items are placed in the recycling bin.

The research also found that 49 per cent of people said they did not always recycle aerosols, and more than a third of people (38 per cent) said they did not always recycle glass items.

Deodorant and hairspray containers can be recycled again and again and made into products, ranging from mobile phone and dishwasher parts.

The figures also show that if every household in South Tyneside recycled one more deodorant spray, it would save enough energy to power a typical primary school for 63 days.

In addition to the blue recycling bin collection service, materials can be recycled at South Tyneside’s Recycling Village, which is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 9am to 6pm, and later over Bank Holidays.

There are also 13 recycling sites, many of which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where residents can take a variety of everyday items for recycling.

Residents are reminded that the blue bin is reserved for recyclable items only.

This does not include food, household or green waste, dog waste, textiles, soiled nappies and used takeaway or pizza boxes which are stained or dirty with food residue.

Black bin sacks or plastic carrier bags also cannot be accepted in the blue bin collection service.

For further information about recycling in South Tyneside, go to www.southtyneside.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling or call the customer contact centre on (0191) 427 7000.