More and more people in Wales are doing their bit to tackle climate change. When it comes to recycling, Wales is leading the way. We are the best recyclers in the UK and third in the world, with an ambition to become number one.
For its 17th annual Recycle Week (23rd – 29th September), Recycle for Wales is working with partners to capitalise on this heightened awareness and energy right here in Blaenau Gwent; tasking residents – and people all over the Wales – to act and focus on getting recycling right during Recycle Week.
Getting recycling right
Latest research from Recycle for Wales reveals that households in Wales are recycling more than ever before; with over 90% of people now recycling materials such as plastic drinks bottles, toiletry and shampoo bottles, and food waste.
Over half of Welsh households are recycling more than they were a year ago, with a quarter of these people cite environmental concerns as the main reason for doing more and others attribute it to an increased awareness of what can be recycled.
The research also showed that young people are leading the way, with 82% of 18-24-year olds recycling more than in 2018.
Whilst the research highlighted an increase in recycling, it also revealed that 50% of people are still putting at least one item in the general rubbish bin that could be recycled.
During Recycle Week and beyond, there are some simple things that we can all do to make our recycling even better and help Wales become the world’s top recycling nation.
And if you’re at all unsure about how to recycle a specific item, remember that Recycle for Wales’ Recycling Locator can show you exactly what needs to go in the recycling bin where you live – just pop in your postcode!
What and how we recycle really matters. Recycling an item rather than throwing it in the general rubbish bin means that it will be dealt with in the most environmentally friendly way, keeping materials in use and out of the environment.
Angela Spiteri, campaign manager for Recycle for Wales, said:
“This year we’ve all taken more notice of our impact on the environment, and realised that recycling is part of reducing that impact. Here in Blaenau Gwent it’s no different – more and more of us are recycling, so the next step is to make sure we get our recycling right. So come on, Blaenau Gwent, keep up the great work and let’s make the recycling better than ever before!”
To find out more about Recycle Week; take part in the Recycle Week pledge and competition, and to use the Recycling Locator to find out what to recycle where you live, visit www.RecycleWeekWales.org.uk
About Recycle Week
Recycle Week is the UK’s annual event to build awareness of and encourage increased participation in recycling behaviour. It is organised by WRAP under the Recycle Now brand and will take place this year in the last week of September (23rd -29th September).
About Recycle for Wales
Recycle for Wales is a campaign to encourage people in Wales to recycle more things more often from all around the home. Recycle for Wales is delivered by WRAP Cymru, and grant funded by the Welsh Government to encourage behaviour change across Wales to reduce the amount of waste produced and use resources in an efficient way in order to meet the Welsh Government’s ambitious target of being a zero-waste nation by 2050. www.recycleforwales.org.uk/
About WRAP Cymru
WRAP Cymru is a part of WRAP. WRAP’s vision is a world where resources are used sustainably. We work with businesses, individuals and communities to help them reap the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products and using resources in an efficient way. Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on: http://www.wrap.org.uk/