UKCPI shares recycling tips for Recycle Week

Posted by Charlotte Salter, on September 21, 2020.

New stats show we care more about the environment than ever before

This year Recycle Week is thanking everyone for continuing to recycle despite all that has happened this year. Statistics released by Recycle Now show that through lockdown the UK has become even more environmentally aware, with nearly 9 in 10 households saying 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. And an amazing 93 per cent of UK households say they believe that ‘everyone has a responsibility to help towards cleaning up the environment’.

The figures come from research carried out during lockdown and an omnibus survey completed in July.

As we celebrate Recycle Week, the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI) is encouraging everyone to sort and recycle their cleaning product packaging.

Top tips for recycling:

• Remember to recycle products from your bathroom as well as your kitchen
• You can recycle most cleaning product packaging
• If in doubt, check your local recycling scheme

What and how we recycle really matters. Recycling an item rather than throwing it in the general rubbish bin means that it will be dealt with in the most environmentally-friendly way, keeping materials in use and out of the environment.

Philip Malpass, Director General of UKCPI, said:

“As we have all been using more cleaning and hygiene products this year, it makes sense to ensure they are all sorted and recycled appropriately.”

Peter Maddox, Director, WRAP UK, said:

“It’s fantastic to see that despite everything that has been thrown at them this year, more people than ever in the UK 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.

“The UK’s 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 proof of how the UK has cooperated.

“Recycle Week this year is an opportunity to thank everyone the UK 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 the UK can do even better in the coming year!”

UK councils, businesses and other organisations are joining in with a range of activities to highlight the importance of recycling. Everyone – organisations and individuals – can support Recycle Week by using #RecycleWeek on social media.

About Recycle Week

First staged in 2004, Recycle Week is now the UK’s largest national annual recycling campaign. It is the week where citizens, media, local governments, and brands come together to meet one goal: to galvanise everyone into recycling more of the right things, more often.

Contact the UKCPI on ukcpi@ukcpi.org or call 07843 199397.