West Sussex Recycle Week is running from the 17th to the 23rd October 2022 and this year we would love our families help make this the best year ever! the information that follows is provided by West Sussex County Council.
We know many of you are already doing a great job at recycling, but there is always more that can be done. Currently we are all recycling around 54% of our household waste on average, but a staggering 60% of the waste which is thrown into rubbish bins could in fact have been reduced, reused or recycled. And over 14% of the materials thrown away were items which could have easily been put into your home recycling bin.
We are always looking at ways we can help you to help us recycle more, and reach our target of recycling 55% of household waste by 2025 and some of our new initiatives are detailed below. If you're unsure about what can and can’t be recycled at any time, then you can always refer to our handy A to Z guide to recycling where you'll find out what waste items you can recycle, the bin you need to use, or which Recycling Centre you can take it to.
And don’t forget when recycling at home all items should be:
- clean - free from food and drink leftovers
- dry - keep your recycling bin lid shut
- loose - no plastic bags.
Hard plastics can now be recycled
Hard plastics such as garden furniture, plants pots, coat hangers and toys can now be recycled at all our West Sussex Recycling Centres (with the exception of Midhurst for size reasons).
These items have been accepted at some sites since February, and following your feedback we have now extended the scheme.
Now you can recycle hard plastic items
Unwanted walking aids? Return them during Recycle Week
Take unwanted walking aids such as crutches, sticks and frames to our Recycling Centres so they can be reused and recycled.
Reusing a refurbished walking aid results in 87% lower carbon emissions on average than providing a brand new piece of equipment and saves money.
Walking aids can be left with staff at your Recycling Centre gate or deposited in the on-site dedicated bin. Any items unsuitable for reuse will be recycled.
Recycling Centres will be able to accept walking aids until the end of Recycling Week on 23 October.
To return items at all other times, you can telephone NRS on 0345 1272931 or email enquiries@westsussex.nrs-uk.net
New scheme to reduce food waste and promote food rescue
A new ‘food rescue’ pilot, designed to reduce food waste and help people with the rising cost of their weekly shop, has begun in parts of West Sussex.
Working with UKHarvest, district and borough councils, and other partnerships and charities, we are running the pilot for six months in Bognor Regis, Crawley (Broadfield area), and Southwick (in Adur).
The idea behind the project is to encourage people to take advantage of surplus food rescue services and learn how to reduce the amount of edible food which ends up in their household rubbish bins.
Where is the food rescue pilot taking place?
Food waste collection trial
A new recycling and general waste collection trial, that includes the separate collection of food waste and Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP), is underway in selected areas of Mid Sussex.
Residents in parts of Ashurst Wood, Burgess Hill and Lindfield are being provided with weekly kerbside collections of food waste and AHP as part of a trial being delivered in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council.
Find out more about the trial, including useful tips on reducing food waste and making food go further on the link below.
Winter opening hours at our Recycling Centres
Winter opening hours are now operating at all 11 Recycling Centres in West Sussex.
The opening times will be 9am to 4pm until 31 March 2023.
Sites will open every day over the winter with the following exceptions:
- Billingshurst and Bognor Regis are closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Chichester is closed on Tuesdays.
- Horsham, East Grinstead, Littlehampton and Midhurst are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Shoreham-By-Sea is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
- Burgess Hill, Crawley and Worthing are closed on Thursdays.
Online pre-booking remains in place for Recycling Centres in Bognor Regis, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton, Shoreham-by-Sea and Worthing.
More information about our Recycling Centres
Find out more about waste prevention
Do you want to know more about waste prevention and recycling?
If so, then please subscribe to our regular West Sussex Recycles newsletter.
Help us spread the message and get more people on board to make West Sussex a strong, safe and sustainable place to live.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news and tips on waste reduction and recycling.
Did you know?
We now accept lids on plastic bottles in your kerbside recycling.
Make sure to squash the empty bottle first, then you can #PutALidOnIt.
This includes trigger sprays, just make sure there’s no liquid in your bottles please.