Archived press release

Date Published: 17/03/08

The Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire has joined forces with the National recycling campaign to encourage people in Buckinghamshire to recycle their DIY waste this spring.

This year, with as many as one in three homeowners planning to carry out work on their house , the Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Recycle Now are reminding people to recycle as much of their DIY waste as possible.

This increase in DIY brings a large amount of waste, which many DIY enthusiasts are unaware can be recycled. Councillor Martin Tett, Chairman of the Joint Waste Committee said, “With recycling so easy to do now, it’s important that everyone in Buckinghamshire who is planning to put on their overalls for a spot of DIY remembers to recycle as much of their rubbish as possible.”

Putting up new shelves, dismantling old cupboards and general decorating always leads to one big question – what to do with all that extra rubbish? People often don’t realise that much of the DIY rubbish they create can be recycled and with an increasing number of recycling centres now accepting waste it’s never been easier to dispose of. Buckinghamshire residents are good recyclers and we would like to encourage them to keep up the good work.

TOP TIPS FOR RECYCLING DIY WASTE
Recycle Now has developed simple top tips to help home DIY-ers recycle as much of their waste as possible.

• Cardboard boxes
In recent years there has been a surge in the amount of furniture bought as flat packs, much of which comes packaged in large amounts of cardboard. Some districts will accept cardboard in kerbside collections, or you can take it to your local recycling bank – visit www.recyclenow.com to find your nearest location.
FACT
The same piece of cardboard can be recycled up to five times.

• Bricks and building rubble
Bricks and building rubble can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres where they may be used in construction. Restrictions do apply for householders using commercial vehicles and trailers. For more details please contact the Waste Permit Line (details below.) Bricks, stones and other building materials that are in good condition can be sold, donated or re-used.
FACT
Building materials are always in demand so advertise in local papers or community notice boards.

• Textiles
All kinds of textiles can be recycled at recycling banks and household waste and recycling centres.
FACT
A wide range of textiles can be easily recycled, including curtains, bedding, towels, handbags, cloths, rugs and mats. At present textile banks are only operating at 25 per cent capacity .

• Glass
Most types of glass can be recycled either via kerbside collections, bottle banks or local recycling centres, simply make sure they are clean and remove any tops or corks.

FACT
Glass can be recycled again and again without loosing its clarity or purity and the UK has more than 50,000 bottle banks .

WOOD
Wood can be found throughout the home in the form of skirting boards, doorframes, old wooden furniture or bed frames.
FACT
Wood can easily be recycled into chipboard or MDF. Restrictions do apply for householders using commercial vehicles and trailers. For more details please contact the Waste Permit Line (see
below)

For more information on waste restrictions, please contact the WASTE PERMIT LINE:
Telephone: 01296 387828
Visit: www.buckscc.gov.uk/wastepermit

For media enquiries please contact Anushka Desai on 01296 387677.

-END-

Notes to editor
More information on all of WRAP’s programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk and for more details on the Recycle Now campaign visit www.recyclenow.com