Nottingham City Council says that national Recycle Week 2020 is another chance to work towards its ambitious carbon-neutral targets.

Recycle Week runs from Monday (21 September) and aims to encourage more people to recycle and re-use the products they buy.

The City Council has also thanked residents for continuing to recycle during lockdown and reiterated its plans to be the first UK city to be carbon-neutral by 2028.

It comes just a few weeks after the authority ran a successful 28 For 28 campaign, which provided families with a different fun activity to do each day on the theme of reducing their individual carbon footprints as part of a wider community effort.

Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We are working hard to be the first carbon-neutral city in the UK in 2028, and sorting and recycling household waste is an easy way that everyone can contribute.

“It was great to see so many people, especially children, enjoying our 28 For 28 challenges and sharing their pictures and videos with us. Educating the next generation about the impact of climate change is vital in terms of making real change.

“This has been an unprecedented year with the whole country coming together to fight a global pandemic. The team here at Nottingham City has done an extraordinary job, continuing our waste and recycling services in the face of significant challenges.

“I’d also like to thank residents in Nottingham for continuing to help us by recycling their items, reducing the rubbish they produce as a household, and re-using items where possible.”

Now in its 17th year, Recycle Week is a celebration of recycling, organised by WRAP, which works with local government, businesses and communities. National research carried out by WRAP shows that:

  • Around 90 per cent of households say they ‘regularly recycle’
  • Coming out of lockdown, more people are prepared to change their lifestyles to help the environment – 73 per cent, up from 68 per cent in 2019
  • 93 per cent of UK households say they believe that ‘everyone has a responsibility to help towards cleaning up the environment’.

Peter Maddox, Director of WRAP UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see that despite everything that has been thrown at them this year, more people than ever in Nottingham are taking responsibility for protecting the environment by choosing to recycle. This is something we can all do, wherever we live – an individual action that, when performed by everyone, adds up to a huge change.

“Nottingham recycling and waste workers have been real heroes too, providing the best service possible under the most difficult of circumstances. The recognition they received in the form of friendly waves, notes, cards and gifts left out for them is heart-warming.

“Recycle Week this year is an opportunity to thank everyone in Nottingham for continuing to recycle, whatever their circumstances and to celebrate the way we have all pulled together. There has been a positive leap forward in attitudes that we must capitalise on so Nottingham can do even better in the coming year!”

For more information about recycling in your area, visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/recycleitright

For more information on Recycle Now, visit www.recyclenow.com