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Give new life to old christmas presents
Posted on 21/12/2009
Unwanted electrical Christmas presents lurking in the depths of dark and dusty cupboards can be given a new lease of life, says a new campaign.
The County Council is backing a national drive to get more people to recycle small electrical appliances during the festive season and cut waste sent to landfill.
A recent survey reveals that a staggering 94 per cent of people admit to owning electrical gadgets that were given as Christmas gifts.
It also shows that only one third recycle electrical items which have been replaced and another 10 per cent put old and unused appliances straight in the bin.
Residents can take goods such as hair straighteners and Christmas lights to one of the County Council's 14 recycling and household waste sites. To find out about other recycling facilities, residents can use the postcode finder at www.recyclenow.com
Tony Kershaw, County Council Cabinet Member for Waste Management, said: "Lots of people buy or receive electrical appliances over Christmas so it's important people are aware of the recycling facilities available.
"People are already bringing more items to their local sites and we'd like to thank them for their hard work and encourage them to keep on recycling."
Electrical items taken to the County Council's sites are separated for recycling - a typical iron contains enough steel to make 13 food cans. Recycled plastic can also be re-used in games consoles or hairdryers.
Recycling rates rocketed at County Council sites following a campaign encouraging people to recycle old electrical goods such as toasters and kettles.
Between April and September, there was a huge increase of 45% compared to the same period last year - this works out at nearly 650,000 hairdryers or one for every person in Leicestershire.
Notes:
Electrical items that use disposable batteries, have a mains cable or need recharging can all be recycled.
The national Recycle Now campaign is led by WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme). The survey was carried out on behalf of Recycle Now.
An estimated 500 tonnes of Christmas tree lights are discarded in the UK over the Christmas period. Even lights that are beyond repair can be recycled.
Leicestershire County Council is part of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership This year, the partnership is working together to prevent waste and promote recycling services.
The District and Borough Councils and the County Council, will be using the same campaign slogan: ‘Dreaming of a green Christmas’ and seasonal illustrations to reach out to their local residents during the festive season.