Cotswold residents called upon to rescue the recyclable waste ending up in bins

Residents in Cotswold District are already among the best recyclers in the country with the district placed 19th out of 343 local authorities in England in the latest performance league tables. An impressive 56.8% of waste in Cotswold is reused, recycled or composted. However, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the organisation behind the Recycle Week campaign, say that 79% of UK citizens admit to missing one or more items which they could recycle in their kerbside collection.  

Councillor Mike Evemy, portfolio holder for waste and recycling at Cotswold District Council, said: “Cotswold residents do a fantastic job of recycling, but the latest national research from WRAP shows that many recyclable items do still end up in general waste; most commonly perfume and aftershave bottles, foil, aerosols, plastic trays and cleaning and toiletry bottles.  

“Every missed item adds up and is a missed opportunity to make new products and reduce the need to extract oil and metals from the Earth. Making products from recycled materials uses less energy and some items, such as steel cans and aluminium foil, are particularly valuable as they are endlessly recyclable with no loss of quality. 

“Food is another recyclable item that frequently ends up in our rubbish bins. Nationally, over half of people (51%) say they regularly put one or more food items into general waste; the most common ones being unopened food still in its packaging, food that is past its best, tea bags and coffee grounds, bones and eggshells.  

“While our recycling rates are very good, we’re asking residents to challenge themselves this Recycle Week and beyond to rescue at least one more recyclable item from their rubbish bins and see if we can rise up the league table of councils next year.” 

Food that residents put out for recycling goes to Severn Trent Green Power’s anaerobic digestion plant in Bishop’s Cleeve, Tewkesbury where it is used to produce biogas and liquid food fertiliser used on local farmland.  

Food waste is a serious issue for the planet, and it’s estimated that between 6 and 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced if people stopped throwing away food. 

Now in its 21st year, Recycle Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of recycling and shines a light on the nation’s recycling habits.  

Residents can find information about what can and can’t be recycled at the kerbside by visiting the waste and recycling pages on Cotswold District Council’s website: https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/what-to-put-in-your-bin/ 

The Gloucestershire Waste Wizard online tool can help residents find the most sustainable way to dispose of their unwanted household items, including local repair cafes, charity shops, and recycling drop off points. Visit the Waste Wizard: www.cotswold.gov.uk/wastewizard