As Wales’ recycling rate reaches an all-time high, we’re calling on our residents to keep up their ‘mighty’ efforts when it comes to recycling this Christmas.
With 92% of us recycling regularly*, Wales is a nation of Mighty Recyclers. We’re the world’s third best recycling nation, and we’re backing Wales Recycles’ Mighty Mission to get to number one.
The latest recycling data revealed that we’re one step closer to reaching the top spot. Despite the challenges faced by COVID-19, Wales’ overall recycling rate saw a big boost this year, increasing from 63% to 65%**. This means we are now recycling 65% of our overall waste, exceeding Welsh Government’s 64% target for this year.
A recent survey also revealed that 55% of us are recycling more than we were this time last year*, with environmental concerns being one of the biggest motivators. That’s fantastic, but with almost half of us still not recycling everything we can, there is still more we can do. If we’re to help Wales get from third in the world to first, and continue protecting our precious resources, we all need to ramp up our efforts this festive period.
Christmas is traditionally the time of year we create the most waste at home. From all the extra food we consume to the mountain of packaging from Christmas gift purchases, it’s a prime opportunity to make sure we are recycling everything we possibly can.
That’s why we’re supporting Wales Recycles’ Be Mighty. Recycle. campaign, funded by Welsh Government, to encourage everyone in Wales to be Mighty Recyclers this Christmas.
Joanna Wilkins, Executive Member for Community Services explains:
“Welsh citizens are showing that they’re MIGHTY when it comes to recycling and we should all be proud of our efforts, but there is still more we can do. We’re calling on our residents to keep up the good work over Christmas to help us reach the top spot!”
“We know people in Wales care about protecting our beautiful country and recycling plays an essential role in tackling climate change. It’s a simple thing that everyone can do to help make a real difference”.
Follow these top tips to be a Mighty Recycler this Christmas:
• Eat, recycle, be merry. Every Council in Wales provides a weekly food waste recycling collection service. Please use it. You can recycle turkey bones, veg peelings and any leftovers from your Christmas dinner (that can’t be safely eaten later)! And keep recycling other waste over the Christmas period too, such as tea bags and coffee grounds, eggshells, peelings and cores from fruit, and stale bread.
• Conquer your card this Christmas. You can recycle all cardboard from online deliveries. Please remove all sticky tape first and flatten any boxes. And once Christmas is over, please recycle all your cards, just remove any bows and ribbons first, and any parts with glitter.
• Most plastic from around the home can be recycled; drinks bottles, cleaning products and toiletry bottles, such as shampoo and shower gel. Don't forget to empty, crush and replace the lids before recycling. And remove any pump dispensers or trigger sprays first as these can’t be recycled. You can also recycle the big plastic tubs of chocolate and sweets we have around the house at Christmas!
• Don’t overlook foil this Christmas. Please recycle foil cases from mince pies and any clean or unstained foil used in your Christmas cooking. Please empty and rinse foil trays and containers before putting them out to be recycled.
• Metal drinks cans and food tins as well as empty aerosols, such as deodorant, shaving gel and hairspray, can all be recycled.
• If you’re ever unsure what you can and can’t recycle, visit Wales Recycles’ Recycling Locator.
To learn more about the Mighty Mission and Wales Recycles’ ‘12 days of Christmas’ recycling facts and tips, visit www.bemightyrecycle.org.uk, look out for the ads on TV, listen to the radio ad, and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BeMightyRecycle
For further information about Blaenau Gwent’s waste and recycling click on https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/waste-recycling/
* WRAP National Recycling Tracker (Wales), October 2020
** Stats Wales