MONDAY sees the start of the annual national Recycle Week where we recognise the huge effort people make across Teignbridge and the rest of the country to reduce waste so that resources are used in a more sustainable way.

Now in its 17th year, Recycle Week, which runs from 21-27 September, will be a thank you to everyone in the UK who has continued doing the right thing and recycling throughout the pandemic.

In the first quarter of this financial year in Teignbridge alone we recycled almost 8,000 tonnes of waste – an increase of some 800 tonnes on the same period last year, mainly due to an increase in kerbside recycling and garden waste.

But with just under 6,000 tonnes of general waste collected in Teignbridge in the same period, there is probably more we can all do to recycle more and to reduce this to a minimum.

Organised by WRAP – Waste and Resources Action Programme – this year’s annual weekly campaign is promoting the theme ‘Together – We Recycle’ and #RecycleWeek on social media.

People can download a resource pack from the WRAP website to join in and also sign up toreceive the 2020 Recylce Week E-newsletter.

Teignbridge Executive Member who leads on waste management and environment health, Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, said: ‘It is fantastic that despite all the limitations of Coronavirus, Teignbridge residents have continued to recycle goods contributing to making our lifestyles more sustainable.

‘As well as thanking everyone who has recycled I would like to thank our staff for maintaining the service over recent months despite coping with staff shortages caused by being affected by the virus and having to self isolate.

‘But the important thing is we keep trying to recycle more and more – gardening rubbish, food waste and all forms of goods and packaging.

‘Take a look at the‘Reduce and reuse your waste’ section on our website and see if there are ways in which you could increase your recycling.’

The Council will be supporting Waste Recycling Week by using our social media accounts to promote the ‘Together - We Recycle’ message.