When you think of things in glass cases you think of the crown jewels, millennia-old mummies or priceless paintings. But nothing is more exciting to me than seeing an old ready-meal container given the credence it deserves.
In the reception of the Closed Loop Recycling centre in Dagenham, unassuming and understated, sits what once contained someone’s tea – Mango Chicken and rice from M&S no less.
It’s thought to be one of the first plastic containers made entirely from recyclables and is real-life proof of the good recycling can do. Give it a quick wash if you do want to use it though.
So whilst this blog is all about the fun you can have with recycling – and I have great fun writing it – we here in Colchester have been making some real difference.
From 25 September to 1 October it’s Recycling Week – pretty much my Christmas – and the theme this year is “Recycling – It’s worth it”. That was true when it WRAP launched the week back in 2004 and now, more than ever, what we do at home makes all the difference to the green cause.
Just look how far Britain has come as recyclers. Back in 1995 we only recycled 7.5% of our waste and now Britain is way up there at 44%. Keep it up guys and we will hit the EU target of 50% long before the predicted 2020.
And just so you can brag, you recycling heroes in Colchester recycle 51.5% of waste already, 7.5% higher than the average across Britain. Just wow!
But what does this all actually mean?
Well, that’s where it gets exciting (for me at least). For example, when you recycle your can of fizzy drink you are saving 92% of the energy it would take to make one from scratch. So really 10 cans can be made from recycled materials where new materials could only make one.
Find out what happens to your cans in Colchester by looking at my bog post ‘Recycling Turns Things Into Other Things Like Magic’
Recycle a hundred cans and you offset the emissions that come from a hundred-mile car journey. It all adds up.
By the time you’re recycling at the scale of that plant in Dagenham, it’s the same as taking 14,000 cars off the road each year.
It really is that effective and that’s what Recycling Week is all about this year. Let’s make sure people know the benefits of recycling and keep making it easier, and more fun, to seek out those recycling containers.
If you want more information on recycling in Colchester visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling
Throughout Recycling Week (25 September to 1 October) I’ll be helping to post some hints, tips and messages through the Council’s Facebook /EnjoyColchester and Twitter @YourColchester pages – so follow us to find out more.
And remember star recyclers, It’s Worth It!