Amanda Taylor

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Recycling Champions

by admin on 26 January, 2010

plastics recyclingI had an interesting meeting last week with Mark Buckton, who is recruiting a team of Recycling Champions in Cambridge. The Champions will be volunteers who promote recycling, passing on news and tips to their friends and neighbours.

Every tin can, newspaper or potato peeling that isn’t recycled has to go to landfill. Methane from landfill sites escapes into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Water drains through waste materials, picking up pollutants on its course. Meanwhile, more energy is used creating new things, transporting them, etc.

Landfill also costs us money – £40 a tonne and rising. Last year, over 25,000 tonnes of household rubbish from Cambridge black bins was sent to landfill. We are burying over a million pounds a year in the ground.

It is estimated that 80% of the black bin rubbish could be recycled, often just by putting it in a different bin, but many people find recycling difficult or confusing. So the Council is looking for enthusiastic people in the community who can spread the word and encourage everyone to join in. Activities are up to the individual’s availability and time, but might include leafletting, putting up posters, running a stand at local events, giving talks, and spotting any barriers to recycling and passing them to the Council.

No special experience or knowledge is required as free training will be provided. People living in flats or shared premises are especially welcome.

For more information, please email [email protected], telephone 01223 457673, or read more at the Council’s website. Recycling

Plastics recycling

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