You can now recycle even more!

Upper Hutt City Council’s recycling sub-contractor has secured an international market this year to recycle your plastics numbered 3 to 6. This now means that from 1 July 2010 you can recycle all plastics numbered 1 to 6 (excluding polystyrene). From plastic bottles and ice cream containers to cleaned plastic food wrap and CD cases; a huge range of plastics are now recyclable through the Council’s kerbside recycling service. For a full list of what plastics are recyclable visit www.upperhuttcity.com/recycling

Waste Management collects kerbside recycling in Upper Hutt on behalf of the Council and transports it to Transpacific AllBrite’s recycling facility in Seaview. Plastics are then sorted, graded and baled for export to Hong Kong and other Asian markets where they are recycled into sweatshirts, cloth, bottles and other new products. The Council kindly asks residents to please empty, wash and squash all plastic containers as recyclables are hand sorted.

Under their contract, AllBrite is also responsible for securing sustainable markets for recycled product and notifies the Council each year of the items they are able to secure a market for. During the recent global financial downturn, markets for recycled product shrunk. During this time only plastics (numbered 1 and 2) which had a secured market were collected to avoid the potential environmental impact of stockpiling product. “Its great news that this year we can recycle all plastics!” said Mayor Wayne Guppy.

The Council would like to get everyone who lives, works and visits Upper Hutt City involved in doing their bit to recycle and dispose of their waste correctly. The Council is encouraging residents and visitors to join us in our campaign and play your part. Everyone who lives and works here has a responsibility to improve the city.

As a city we currently recycle less per household than our neighbouring cities. “We’ve got a real challenge on our hands but by working together we’ll achieve our targets and help make Upper Hutt City more environmentally conscious. Recycling makes a real difference so let’s keep a good thing going!” said Mayor Wayne Guppy.

For more information visit www.upperhuttcity.com/recycling.

ENDS

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