People of Leeds taking recycling into their own hands as part of Recycle Week

Leeds is proud to be taking recycling into its own hands. In the biggest and best Recycle Week ever, Leeds City Council is challenging residents to recycle more of the right things, more often.

For the 17^th year, Recycle Week comes back between 23^rd and 29^th of September with a programme of events and promotions to encourage Leeds people to focus on getting recycling right.

Residents will be able to take advantage of interactive junk modelling for the scout groups and be part of recycling games and challenges in various retailers around Leeds such as White Rose, ASDA, or Waitrose. They will also be able to get tips and ideas from the city’s team of waste advisers to help them reduce, reuse and recycle.

We are also turning the city centre green with Trinity Shopping Centre, Becketts University, Merrion Centre, Queens Hotel, Town Hall, Civic Hall, and Leeds Arena, turning their lights green for the week.

Green bins can take items like cardboard, paper, plastic and tins. Heavy items like wood and garden waste are accepted free of charge at the local household waste recycling centres, together with reusable items like electrical goods, furniture, and paint that are donated to local charities. Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at one of the city’s network of over 700 bottle banks.

This year, Recycle Week takes account of the environmental activism developed by Sir David Attenborough and green activists such as Greta Thunberg. Latest research from Recycle Now reveals that over 60% of UK households are now recycling more than they were a year ago because of environmental concerns.

Recycle Week is part of the city’s action on calling a climate emergency, we’re asking people to Leeds By Example and think about what you do to reduce your carbon footprint. Take the carbon test and see what you can do. Visit www.leedsbyexample.co.uk and ‘agree your three’ in order to reduce, reuse, and recycle more.

At the start of the week, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment Councillor Rafique met a group of school students to discuss their interest in recycling.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council executive member for the environment and active lifestyle, said:

“Last year’s campaign motivated people in Leeds to recycle more, but this year we want to take recycling a step forward and encourage people not only to recycle more, but also to do it better. We are committed to helping people recycle right and more often as part of the city’s drive to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

“It was fantastic to meet local school students and learn more about recycling. It is very important for our community and environment to take responsibility and understand that recycling should be a year-round activity and not one which ends after the Recycling Week.”

If you’re unsure of what goes in what bin, Recycling Now’s Recycling Locator can show you exactly how it works – just add your postcode here: https://www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling! To find out more of how to recycle, download the Leeds Bins app for your smartphone or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/recycle.

Editor Notes

Resident Events:

• Lunchtime 11:30-2:30:

  • Tuesday 24/9/19 -White Rose Shopping Centre

  • Thursday 26/09/19, ASDA, Owlcotes Pudsey

  • Friday 27/09/19, Waitrose Meanwood

  • Saturday 28/09/2019, Briggate, Leeds city centre

• Evenings 3:30-6pm:

  • Tuesday 24/9/19 Holt Park Leisure Centre

  • Wednesday 25/09/19 Johns Charles Leisure Centre

Scout Groups:

• Monday 23/9/19, Farsley

• Wednesday 25/9/19, Barwick

Students (University of Leeds):

• Sunday 29/9/19 12-4pm Hyde Park ‘Community Day’ to welcome new students.

Leeds By example is the identity that embodies the city’s sustainability aspirations including climate change, reuse and recycling.