Residents recognised for recycling throughout the pandemic this Recycle Week

Date: 
Monday, 21 September, 2020

recyclingEast Dunbartonshire Council and Zero Waste Scotland have thanked residents for continuing to recycle and reuse even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Both organisations have united to urge residents to continue to keep up the good work this Recycle Week (21-28 September) while praising the hard work of waste collection crews and recycling centre staff who have kept our essential recycling services running during 2020.

Now in its 11th year, Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycle Week is an annual celebration of recycling and encourages a week of positive action. Scotland’s latest Programme for Government has emphasised the importance of recycling with a £70 million fund announced to improve local authority collection infrastructure.

Joint Leader of the Council, Vaughan Moody said, "Recycle Week is always such a fantastic and worthwhile campaign to be a part of.

"This year it gives us the chance to say thanks to all our residents for their patience and understanding during what has been a trying time for us all.

"We have some of the highest recycling figures in Scotland thanks to the efforts of our residents and businesses."

Joint Leader of the Council, Andrew Polson added, "We can always strive to do better and every person can do their bit by putting things in their bins appropriately and recycling where possible.

"I would also like to thank our waste team for all their hard work over the past year. They have worked to continue an essential service during what has been a time of great uncertainty and upheaval and adapted swiftly to their new working arrangements as we moved forward in our response to the Covid crisis."

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said:

“Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped East Dunbartonshire residents recycling. Almost everyone’s day-to-day routine has been rewritten during 2020 and we recognise the efforts people have made to keep recycling and reusing products and materials. We’d like to say a massive thank you to East Dunbartonshire residents as every plastic bottle or apple core placed in the recycling bin makes a difference to the environment. The waste collection crews, recycling centre staff and local authority teams also deserve recognition for going above and beyond to keep services running when faced with big challenges.

“While Scotland has come a long way since recycling was first introduced, there is still much more we can do, so let’s keep on recycling as much as we can.”

Waste collection crews across Scotland were praised by the public for safely maintaining essential services during the most significant impact of coronavirus. Householders showed their appreciation with thank you stickers on bins, knitted mascots and a piper in the Crook of Devon, Kinross-shire, gave his thanks by performing for the crew as they emptied the bins in his street.

Recycle Week will be hosted virtually this year with the hashtag #RecycleWeek. Zero Waste Scotland will publish fun hints and tips for how to recycle as much as possible on the How to Waste Less website.

If you’re having any difficulty with your waste service, need any recycling bins or food waste caddies, or have any questions, please call 0300 123 4510 for advice.

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