Residents urged to wash, squash and recycle

Image of wash, squash, recycle team

The final wash, squash and recycle roadshow is taking place this month to encourage residents to recycle – and offering them the chance to win £1000.

The roadshow, which is taking place 26 February, 10am-12pm, Longbenton Library, Oxford Centre, is part of a campaign which encourages people across the borough to make a pledge to wash, squash and recycle plastic bottles and cans.

The roadshow will offer on the spot advice, raise awareness of waste minimisation and offer the opportunity for residents to make their last chance to pledge which will enter them into the prize draw to win £1000.

Recycling one plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a 60W light bulb for six hours, whereas it takes 500 years for a plastic bottle to decompose. Recycling an aluminium can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours, whereas it takes 100 years for the can to decompose.

Cllr John Stirling, cabinet member for Environment, said:  “Wash, squash and recycle is a very straightforward message and we’re delighted that so many residents already do this routinely when sorting their waste.

“Washing bottles and cans means there are no liquids that can contaminate paper while in the recycling bin and makes it a more pleasant job for the staff sorting waste.  And squashing bottles and cans means there is room in your bin to recycle even more.

“This part of the campaign is coming to an end soon, so that means there’s now a chance to win the grand prize of £1,000 worth of shopping vouchers for those who pledge to wash, squash and recycle and keep to it.”

The campaign runs until the end of February, and residents are encouraged to take a pledge online or at a roadshow currently touring the borough.

More information can be found at www.northtyneside.gov.uk or by calling 0345 2000 103.

ENDS