HOUSEHOLDERS in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area are being urged to give the local environment a gift this Christmas by redoubling their efforts at recycling in the run up to and during the festive season.The Council’s current recycling figures are on target with expectations and while figures are up 6% on last year, the Council is very keen to continue to strive to improve by stepping up its efforts by having staff out and about at festive events across the Council area in the run up to Christmas.
The Council team will be reminding people of the Reduce Reuse and Recycle message to assist us further improve our statistics and achieve our recycling goals.
The team will have a Pop-Up and Advice Stand at a number of Council organised events over Christmas including the Strabane Christmas Fayre on Sunday 3rd December and the Winterland Market in Guildhall Square where our team will be visible on 15th and 16th December 2017.
In addition to providing tips on recycling and advice on increasing recycling efficiency, the team will be promoting the fact that by recycling you can save money and help the environment at the same time.
They will be on hand to answer questions on all aspects of recycling and to offer advice to the public.
Conor Canning, Head of Environment with Derry City and Strabane District Council explained that over the Christmas period households accumulate extra waste with wrapping paper, present packaging, food containers and bottles all piling up.
He said the onus is on all of us to do what we can to recycle as much of these additional material rather than throw them out.
He said: “Recycling is something which we can all do in our homes to make a direct and positive impact on our local environment.
“By making a few small changes this Christmas you can make reduce what goes to landfill and reduce your carbon footprint on the local environment.
“Everyone over indulges at this time of year but there are a few simple things people can do that will go a long way to help when planning their Christmas dinner, they can buy less food and help reduce their food waste, recycle wrapping paper or use reusable gift boxes, gift wrapping and bags.
“Once the festive season is over we will be actively encouraging people to bring their additional cardboard boxes and empty packaging to our recycling centres as well as their Christmas cards and non-metallic/non-sparkly wrapping paper.”
Conor added: “We also encourage people to dispose of their Christmas trees at our Recycling Centres where we shred them into chippings and use them locally in our parks and green areas throughout the year.
“If everyone made an effort this year we can really make a difference and start changing the thinking around recycling and reinforcing the message about how easy it is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”
For more information on recycling visit – www.derrystrabane.com/recycle
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