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In the loop

Recycling is good for the environment. It saves energy and taxpayers’ money. And it means discarded items can be transformed into something new

Whether your bathroom regime is a quick shower or a two-hour makeover, Peterborough City Council is teaming up with Recycle Now this Recycle Week to encourage residents to look and feel good by recycling bathroom items like empty deodorants and finished-with fragrances. While we all do our bit to recycle what we can, certain items around the house can somehow evade the recycling bin. Recycling just a few more items can make a big difference – and the bathroom is a good place to start. In the UK, almost 90% of packaging is recycled in our kitchens, while just over half (52%) of items are recycled in the bathroom.

In fact, new research from Recycle Now found that nearly half (49%) of the UK population admit to not always recycling their aerosols including deodorant and hairspray from the bedroom or bathroom. The research also found that over a third (38%) of the UK population say they don’t always recycle glass items in the bedroom such as aftershave and perfume bottles after they are empty. While recycling may feel like a chore, the benefits of recycling are seemingly endless – what goes around comes around, after all! That’s why this Recycle Week, the council is highlighting the benefits of recycling – for the environment and for our local community.

For example, if everyone in Peterborough recycled one more deodorant spray, it would save enough energy to power a typical primary school for half a year! When we say ‘what goes around comes around’, we really mean it! Did you know that aerosols such as deodorants and hairsprays can be recycled again and again without any loss in quality? So you may see them come back in items such as parts of your mobile phones, dishwashers or even as another aerosol. Shower singers – this one’s for you being recycling savvy, such as recycling just three empty deodorants, can provide these essentials to your ‘getting ready’ routine by saving enough energy to power a shower for eight minutes, or a home sound system for 32 hours!

‘We’re motivating Peterborough to look good and feel good this Recycle Week,’ says Peterborough City Council’s Recycling Contracts Officer Amy Nebel. ‘From the last spritz of perfume to the final squeeze of a shampoo bottle – take the opportunity during Recycle Week to add recycling to your bathroom regime. Recycling just a few more items from around the house can make a real difference.’

Linda Crichton, Head of Recycle Now, adds: ‘Many of us have our daily bathroom routines in place – whether we’re getting ready to go to work, out for a party, or just settling down for a night in. During Recycle Week we are looking to shake up those routines and let people know that they can do good for the environment they live in, in the process of looking good. One tip is to put a recycling bag or bin in your bathroom or bedroom to make recycling an easy part of your routine.’

Bathroom recycling tips
You may be wondering exactly how best to recycle bathroom items. We asked Recycle Now their top bathroom recycling tips – and here they are: ● Rinse well: Where possible empty and rinse containers before they go into the recycling bin. ● Cap it: Put caps and lids back on your glass containers before recycling. ● Split apart: Remove plastic lids and caps from air-freshener, deodorant and shaving foam aerosols where easy to do so and place separately in the recycling. ● Keep out: Mirrors and nail varnish bottles are not recyclable and should be put in your general waste.

Don’t forget, if you aren’t sure about what you can recycle at home, visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/rubbish-and-recycling or use the Recycling Locator at www.RecycleNow.com

Image: www.freepik.com/free-vector/recycling-elements-collection_1024019

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