Recycle Week: This is the year the people of Newry, Mourne and Down are ‘taking recycling into their own hands’

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is proud to be taking recycling into its own hands. In the biggest and best Recycle Week ever, Recycle Now is asking residents to take recycling into their own hands and take action to protect our environment.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This year we’ve all taken more notice of our impact on the environment and realised that recycling is part of reducing that impact.

“Our latest recycling rates show that more and more of us are recycling, so the next step is to make sure we get our recycling right by reducing contamination in the recycling bins. I ask all of our householders to keep up the great work and let’s make this district’s recycling better than ever before.”

The year so far has been one of protests and marches. People have had enough of the status quo; things need to change urgently. Inspired by Our Planet, Greta Thunberg and Sir David Attenborough - environmental concerns have never been so important.

For its 17^th annual Recycle Week, which takes place between 23 and 29 September, Recycle Now is capitalising on heightened awareness and energy here in the Newry, Mourne and Down area; and requesting that residents should act and focus on getting recycling right during Recycle Week. Residents may also notice that Newry Town Hall and Down Leisure Centre will be lit up green to mark the week.

Latest research from Recycle Now reveals that over 60% of households are now recycling more than they were a year ago because of environmental concerns. This is certainly true for the Newry, Mourne and Down district- as residents are recycling over 51% of waste and it was the most improved council area for recycling in 2018-2019.

The research shows that more and more households are recycling plastic drinks, toiletry and shampoo bottles, among other items, including glass and metal tin cans. Nearly one third of those recycling cite environmental concerns as the main reason for doing more and others attribute it to an increased awareness of what can be recycled.

What and how we recycle really matters. Research shows that, along with an increase in recycling rates, households sometimes incorrectly put items such as toys and toothpaste in the recycling bin. Recycling an item rather than throwing it in the general rubbish bin, or in the wrong bin, means that it will be dealt with in the most environmentally friendly way, keeping materials in use and out of the environment.

To find out more about Recycle Week, and to use the Recycling Locator to find out what to recycle where  you live, visit: www.recyclenow.org.uk.