Oxfordshire council urges people to take recyclables home
Up to 70% of things that are thrown in public litter bins could be recycled if taken home
A council in Oxfordshire is urging residents to change the way they deal with litter in public and instead take it home,
They say it will help ‘cut down on unnecessary waste and help to protect the environment’.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils say up to 70% of the things that are thrown in public litter bins could be recycled if taken home.
However, once recyclables are mixed with food waste and other rubbish they can’t be recycled and must be thrown away.
Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, Cabinet Member for Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “To be recycled, items need to be kept away from potentially messy non-recyclable rubbish – most public litter bins don’t allow that and those that do often get misused. So, if it’s recyclable, please take it home and put it in your green wheelie bin. By doing so you’ll help us to cut down on unnecessary waste and help to protect the environment too.”
Cllr Hayleigh Gascoigne, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Climate Action and Nature Recovery at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “People are trying to do the right thing, but if a can or bottle goes into a public bin, it won’t be recycled. This campaign is about small changes that add up to a big difference. It will also mean there’s more room in bins for items that can’t be recycled, helping to avoid litter overflowing and ending up on the ground.”
The campaign is part of the councils’ new Rethinking Waste strategy, which focuses on reducing waste overall, improving recycling and supporting residents to make more sustainable choices.
The council already provides some street recycling bins in the towns and larger villages. However, they are often contaminated by food waste, liquids and dog mess bags which means that items cannot be recycled.