Recycle Week 2020 started yesterday, and in keeping with the theme "Thanking the nation: 'Together - We Recycle'" Charity Recycling MK would like to thank their community for helping them to divert waste from landfill or incineration to be recycled with TerraCycle.
2020 has seen all of our lives turned upside down as a result of COVID-19. The way we go about our daily lives has changed and our priorities have shifted. An emphasis has been placed on safety and hygiene, often at the cost of the environment and sustainability.
With this in mind, George Thomson who runs Charity Recycling MK, along with TerraCycle would like to say a massive thank you as part of Recycle Week 2020 to the people of Milton Keynes who have continued to think of the planet's wellbeing and kept on recycling, despite the unique challenges that have arisen as a result of COVID-19.
George set up a public access drop-off location at his home, 25 Cantle Avenue, in 2013, enabling the community of Milton Keynes to collect otherwise unrecyclable waste such as personal care and beauty product packaging, biscuit and snack wrappers, cheese packaging and much more which cannot be recycled by the local council, and would otherwise end up in landfill or incineration.
TerraCycle also awards a charitable donation for each parcel of waste sent in for recycling.
Councils cannot accept these waste materials as they are complex and costly to recycle, meaning the end value of the recycled material is worth less than the cost of the recycling process.
To make the economics of recycling this waste work, TerraCycle partners with large brands such as Garnier, McVitie's and Cathedral City who cover the costs of processing these materials.
This typically involves shredding the waste, washing it and then turning it into flakes or pellets which can then be molded into a huge range of products, often outdoor furniture or various objects for use in construction.
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"We are so grateful for all the support we've received since we set up our TerraCycle drop-off location, particularly over the last few months during lockdown," George said.
"During the lockdown, many local recyclers in Milton Keynes stored at home the waste packaging they normally drop off to our location, until the restrictions were eased and they were able to travel to drop it off.
"We couldn't have done it without you and your efforts have meant that well over 1 million pieces of waste have been diverted from landfill and incineration, and you have helped raise £32,000 for Willen Hospice and MK Cat Rescue.
"Willen's invaluable support has touched the hearts of many local families earning it well deserved local respect and MK Cat Rescue is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and relies on public donations for funding.
"We are always looking for more support though, so anyone interested in helping us can take their waste Charity Recycling MK, 25 Cantle Avenue, Downs Barn, Milton Keynes, MK14 7RJ and tell their friends and family to do the same."
