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Swansea University has literally gone green to hammer home the recycling message.
To mark Recycling Week, which began yesterday, the University has given its backing to WRAP Cymru’s Be Mighty. Recycle campaign and is showing its support by turning Fulton House green.
The building at the heart of Singleton Campus is being lit up by green lights to celebrate Wales’ commitment to recycling from 8pm to 10pm every night until Friday.
Young adults in Wales are recycling more than ever before – figures show more than three quarters of 18 to 24-year-olds recycle regularly and that 76 per cent are recycling more this year than in 2019.
Swansea University’s Head of Sustainability Dr Heidi Smith said: “Wales may be a small country, but when it comes to recycling, we punch way above our weight. We’re already the third best recycling nation in the world and here at Swansea University we want to do all we can to make Wales number one.”
Recycling plays a role in tackling climate change and it’s a simple thing that everyone can do to help make a real impact. Swansea University has taken significant steps over the years to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.
Dr Smith added: “Recycling is now the norm at here and most of our students recycle as part of their daily routine. They’re recycling fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags and plate scrapings in their food caddies; recycling from every room including the bathroom and bedroom, and recycling tricky items such as empty aerosols. On campus they are making use of our segregated waste and recycling bins.”
But even though progress has been made Waste and Recycling Officer Fiona Wheatley said there is still more to be done:
“We know that our students care about climate change and want to do all they can to make Wales cleaner and greener. Together we can help get Wales to number one and protect the planet by recycling more of the right things, every time.”
The Sustainability Team says recycling at the University has never been easier. Veolia provides weekly recycling and food waste collections and recycling bins are located internally and externally at both campuses allowing paper, plastic, cans, food and glass to easily be separated.
Learn more about how to recycle or look out for the ads on TV, on buses and billboards and social media across Wales or join the conversation using the hashtag #mightyrecyclers
Mighty tips to get Wales to number one
• Recycling our food waste is one of the easiest ways to give our recycling rate a big boost. Put any food waste – however small the amount – in your food waste caddy to ensure it gets collected every week;
• Recycling doesn’t stop at the kitchen door – remember to recycle from other rooms too. You’d be amazed just how much bathroom waste such as empty shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and shower gel bottles can be recycled;
• Most people know that water bottles, cans, and paper and card can be recycled, but don’t forget that you can also recycle more unusual items such as empty aerosols. And if you’re not sure what you can and can’t recycle visit the Wales Recycles Recycling Locator; and,
• Squash cans, pots, tubs and trays to save space in your recycling bag, bin, box or caddy. And give them a quick rinse before recycling them – there’s no need to use running water, a quick swill in the washing up bowl will do.