Belfast City Council Pushes For Higher Recycling Rates

Belfast residents are urged to step up their recycling efforts as the city participates in Recycle Week 2024, which runs from October 14th to 20th. While Belfast currently recycles around 41% of household waste, Belfast City Council believes there's significant room for improvement.

The council is highlighting several free services available to residents to make recycling easier and reduce overall waste.

• Reducing Food Waste: A new "Solo Cookbook" offers budget-friendly recipes designed for individuals or small households, aiming to help residents cut down on food waste and save money. Free copies are available at the Cecil Ward Building or by emailing environmentaloutreach@belfastcity.gov.uk.

• Composting Leftovers: Restaurants and cafes can join the council's 'Cater for Later' scheme, which provides compostable boxes for customers to take leftovers home.

• Giving Electronics a Second Life: The 'Reuse IT' scheme refurbishes unwanted laptops and tablets donated at household recycling centres, giving them a new life with community groups and organisations.

• Free Bulky Waste Removal: Heavier items like furniture and appliances can be disposed of responsibly through the council's free bulky waste collection service, now bookable online at belfastcity.gov.uk/bulkywaste.

• Sustainable Hygiene Options: Residents can try out free reusable plastic-free period products or request a free two-week trial of cloth nappies for babies, both helping to minimise sanitary waste.

For more details on these initiatives and other recycling programs, visit the Belfast City Council website at belfastcity.gov.uk/recycling. This Recycle Week, Belfast City Council encourages residents to embrace these resources and make a positive impact on the environment.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, is encouraging residents to play their part.

"As we mark Recycle Week 2024, I encourage all Belfast residents to keep up the good work and continue to make recycling a daily habit," he said.

"There are so many ways to breathe new life into something old – whether it's taking your glass bottles to over 50 bottle banks across the city, donating clothes to friends, family or charity or turning your food waste into compost. Every action counts – and it creates new jobs and opportunities here too, enabling materials to be used again and again.

"Our pre-loved toy campaign is also returning this year and is a fantastic opportunity to give toys a second life and help families in need. Last year, over seven tonnes of toys were redistributed to 700 families and I'm confident we can help even more this year.

"And, with the upcoming expansion of our kerbside glass recycling service to 23,000 additional households across the city, we're hoping to make it easier than ever for everyone to get involved. Together, we can make a real impact on reducing waste and protecting our environment for future generations."

The council also operates four recycling centres and three civic amenity sites across the city where residents can recycle a range of items for free, including white goods, old TVs, vapes, small electricals and spectacles.

Alexandra Park Avenue recycling centre will be closed for essential repairs from Sunday 20 October for approximately three weeks, but other facilities at Blackstaff Way, Ormeau (Park Road) and Palmerston Road are open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturdays and 12pm-5pm Sundays (last entry 15 minutes before closing).

For more information on recycling at home and what can be recycled in Belfast, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/recycling