Wales is putting plastic in its place this Recycle Week

More people in Wales are recycling plastic bottles than ever before, according to figures from Recycle for Wales, released today to mark Recycle Week 2019.

Recycle for Wales reveal that over 90% of us are recycling plastic bottles such as toiletry bottles all or most of the time, with a staggering 96% now recycling our plastic drinks bottles such as empty milk bottles.

We’re also recycling more food waste, aerosols and cardboard. And young people are leading the way, with 82% of 18-24-year olds recycling more than in 2018. 

Wales is already the third highest recycling nation in the world, with an ambition to become number one. Which is why Recycle for Wales, the charity behind Recycle Week, is calling on citizens to make a pledge to do their bit to make Wales do just that. 

Angela Spiteri, Campaign Manager for Recycle for Wales said, “We’ve come such a long way when it comes to recycling, but we cannot afford to stop now. but with around half of us still not recycling everything we can there is still more we can do. That’s why we’re asking everyone in Wales to make a pledge by doing one simple thing differently this Recycle Week, and together we can get Wales to number one”.

How you can get involved?

Recycle for Wales is calling on people across Wales to pledge to recycle one more thing. There are four pledges to choose from:

• Recycle plastic bottles from every room, every time - including toiletry bottles & cleaning products from the bathroom, bedroom and utility room
• Recycle all empty aerosol bottles including hairspray and deodorant from the bedroom and bathroom
• Recycle all food waste, every time – including tea bags & coffee grounds, egg shells, bones and peelings
• Where there is no recycling bin when you’re out and about, take empty bottles and other recyclable rubbish home to recycle 

Recycle for Wales is also inviting savvy recyclers to share their top recycling tips, tricks and methods on social media to inspire others to recycle better. Participants could be in for a chance of winning an Explore Wales travel pass for two, plus a Cadw Explorer Pass to visit Wales’ historic attractions for a family of four. 

More information on the pledge and competition can be found on our webpage here.

Angela Spiteri from Recycle for Wales shares her top recycling tips this Recycle Week:

If each us re-used or recycled just one more thing each day, it would make a huge difference. For example, recycling one shampoo bottle saves enough energy to charge 4 tablets! Become an even better recycler by doing the following: 

1. If it’s plastic and bottle shaped, recycle it

Most of us recycle. In fact over 90% of us recycle plastic bottles such as drinks bottles, cleaning products and toiletry bottles. Don't forget to empty, crush and replace the lids before recycling. Trigger sprays can be left on cleaning bottles.  

2. Give it a quick rinse

For pots, tubs and trays, just give them a quick rinse before recycling them; remember to remove the plastic film. There’s no need to get every spot of food off, and dishwashing them is a step too far – and a waste of energy! 

3. Recycle aerosol cans from every room

Metal recyclables such as aerosol cans can be recycled again and again and again without losing quality. Don’t forget to recycle aerosol cans from your bedroom and bathroom - such as hairspray, deodorant and shaving gel. Recycling just two aerosol cans saves enough energy to power a DJ set for one hour.

4. Recycle all your food waste

When recycled, your food waste is turned into renewable energy. Just one recycled banana peel would create enough energy to charge two smartphones. Whilst 90% of us recycle our food waste, some food waste still ends up in the rubbish bin. Don’t forget waste such as tea bags & coffee grounds, egg shells, bones and peelings can all be recycled. 

5. Remove food from card packaging 

Remove chunks of food from paper and card packaging before recycling. For example, you can put in the pizza box, just make sure that any food has been removed.

6. Use the scrunch test

Not sure if a piece of paper can be recycled? Try scrunching it up in your hand. If it doesn’t spring back, then it can be recycled. It’s a good test to use with wrapping paper. And if you’re recycling birthday cards, tear off any glittery bits first.

7. Give it a quick squish

Give cans and plastic bottles a quick squish - that’ll save room in your recycling bin and make them more efficient to transport. Scrunch foil items loosely together to help them get through the sorting process without getting lost. 

8. If you’re not sure, check

If you’re not sure if, how or where you can recycle an item, visit the Recycle for Wales Recycling Locator - just put in your postcode and the answer will pop up.