National Recycle Week runs until 29 September and Ealing Council is marking the occasion by encouraging local people to take recycling into their own hands and work together to help protect the environment.
The importance of dealing with our household waste in a sustainable manner has become even more obvious in recent years, with more and more people across the globe acting to combat climate change and recycle more.
In fact, latest research from the national campaign group Recycle Now shows that more than 60% of UK households are now recycling more than they were a year ago because of environmental concerns. Research shows an increase in the recycling of plastic drinks, cleaner, toiletry and shampoo bottles, amongst other items including glass and metal tin cans.
The importance of recycling certainly has not been lost on pupils at Derwentwater Primary School in Acton, which celebrated National Recycle Week by collecting materials such as tin cans, soft drink containers and other recyclable material. Their collection is to be used for a mural which is set to be created completely out of recycled and scrapped materials.
The mural will be produced by artist Matt Small and Acton Unframed, an urban art project bringing street art to the local area. This week, (Wednesday 25 September) the Acton Unframed team visited Derwentwater Primary School to talk with pupils about the importance of recycling and helping the environment.
There are plenty of simple things that we can all do to make our recycling even better and you can read much more courtesy of the Recycle Now website, including advice about what to do with a huge range of household items, and a Recycling Locator, which shows you exactly what needs to go in the recycling bin where you live.
Ealing is taking the lead in recycling across London and currently recycles more than 50% of the borough’s household waste – the best rates in the capital bar one. The council is committed to improving these rates even further, to 60% by 2022, which would make Ealing the best performing borough in London for recycling.
Councillor Mik Sabiers, the council’s cabinet member for environment and highways said: “Recycling Week always plays a really positive role in highlighting the importance of dealing with household waste in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way.
“It’s great to see to residents working alongside the council as we try to improve recycling rates across the borough together. This year I’d also like to thank pupils at Derwentwater Primary School and Acton Unframed for their recycling efforts.
“There’s so much that can be recycled and many will be surprised by items that could be added into your blue bin. I encourage everyone to take a look at what they are throwing in the rubbish and see whether there’s anything they can recycle instead.
“Ealing is outperforming every other London borough bar one for recycling rates at more than 50% of the total amount – a record to be proud of. We remain committed to improving these rates even further and are aiming to reach rates of 60% by 2022.
