Recycling benefits our planet by reducing the amount of natural resources we extract from it. It helps combat climate change by saving the energy required to process our waste. For our local community, recycling means that money saved on waste disposal can be invested in other essential public services.
Lambeth’s Climate Action Plan sets out our waste, consumption and food ambitions, including increasing the diversion rate away from incineration to at least 70 per cent.
Recycle Week 2023’s theme is ‘The Big Recycling Hunt’ which is about flagging up household items that often find their way into the rubbish bin rather than the recycling bin.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth & Clean Air said: “We want to work alongside our residents as we aim to be a Net Zero borough by 2030. We want a Lambeth that is a zero-waste borough with reducing, reusing, and recycling prioritised.
“I’d encourage local people to take on board the Recycle Week messages as I know there’s a lot we can all learn when it comes to recycling more and wasting less. These are small actions for us individually, but working together we can make a big difference.”
Common Household Items That Need Recycling
Contamination of recycling bins is a challenge that also needs addressing this Recycling Week. When non-recyclable items find their way into your green bin (or recycling sack), they can contaminate other recyclables, rendering them unrecyclable as well.
Some of the most common contaminants include:
- Bin bags
- Plastic bags
- Polystyrene
- Tin foil
- Aerosols
These items should be placed in your black rubbish bin (or sack if you live in a flat above a shop). Food waste is another item that’s often missed by residents. It’s a recyclable item but is processed differently from your dry mixed recycling. If you’re unsure about how to recycle your food waste, you can find more information on the Food waste | Lambeth Council webpage.
Join the Recycling Hunt
We will continue to share information on commonly missed household items, recycling tips, and resources to help you minimise the amount of waste you create. Together, we can make a significant impact and ensure that Lambeth continues to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly place to live.
