Don’t let your recycling go to waste

Charnwood Borough Council is supporting a campaign to help reduce the amount of contamination in Leicestershire’s recycling bins.

Charnwood Borough Council is supporting a campaign to help reduce the amount of contamination in Leicestershire’s recycling bins.

Leicestershire County Council has launched the campaign to help residents in the county recycle right by making sure the right items are going in the right bins.

In caring for the environment, we all want to recycle as much as we can, and Leicestershire residents are doing a fantastic job. However, an increasing number of incorrect items are being put into recycling bins, which can prevent good material from being recycled.

Last year, 5,500 tonnes of material placed in recycling bins in Leicestershire was rejected due to wrongly recycled items, such as disposable nappies and food waste spoiling good quality, recyclable material.

So, with contamination levels and disposal costs on the rise, the councils are taking action.

Leicestershire County Council is working with district and borough councils across the county to improve Leicestershire’s recycling output, and with the help of clear information and advice, want residents to take responsibility for their own rubbish by making sure that the right things are going in the right bins.

Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, the Council’s lead member for major contracts said: “Everyone wants to do their bit for the environment which includes recycling as much as possible.

 "There’s been an increase in the number of incorrect items being put in recycling bins which prevents good materials from being recycled. We’re hoping this campaign will remind residents how to recycle right and reduce the amount of contaminated recycling.

“I’d encourage residents in Charnwood to look at the advice and information provided through the campaign and take time to understand what can and cannot be recycled.”

For more information on what can and can’t be recycled in your recycling bin, visit www.lesswaste.org.uk.