Welsh councils count down to Recycle Week

Local authorities across Wales are joining forces with consumer campaign Waste Awareness Wales to celebrate Recycle Week 2010.

The week, which takes place 21 – 27 June, will be marked by events throughout the country, including:

• A recycled fashion show in Merthyr Tydfil
• The Love Food Hate Waste Roadshow at Pembrokeshire Fish Week in Tenby
• The launch of a food waste trial at schools in Wrexham
• Swap shop, bike repair day and furniture auction in Swansea

Local authorities will also use the week to remind people about how easy it is to dispose of old electrical products properly and how smarter shopping can cut down on grocery bills as well as household waste.

Rachel Jowitt, Head of Waste Support at Waste Awareness Wales, said:

"Waste Awareness Wales welcomes all the hard work that our local authorities have put in to making Recycle Week 2010 bigger than better than ever. But reducing our waste is a year round challenge, not just something for Recycle Week, which is why we’re reminding people to log onto our bank locator at www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk to find out about recycling facilities in their area."

Environment Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson will launch Wales’ new waste strategy Towards Zero Waste at the start of Recycle Week. She said:

"If we are to reach our ambition of recycling 70 per cent of our waste by 2025 and being a zero waste nation by 2050 we all need to play our part. That’s why I am so encouraged by all the Recycle Week events arranged by local authorities across Wales.

"Reducing our waste isn’t just about recycling though, it’s about thinking carefully about what we buy and what we throw away, and about passing unwanted items on to our friends or neighbours instead of putting them in the bin. I am calling on everyone across Wales to do what they can to reduce our waste burden and secure the future for Wales that our children and grandchildren deserve."