Wales is already second in the world for recycling – but we're aiming for the top spot. And what better time to refresh your habits than the season of picnics and garden get-togethers?
Whether you're firing up the BBQ, heading to a festival, or sprucing up your home and garden, there are plenty of simple ways to recycle more – and help make a real difference.
Here are 5 simple ways to keep things green while you enjoy your summer months.
1. Recycle your foil – trays, wraps and all
Hosting a barbecue or enjoying a picnic? Foil sheets, trays and cases used for wrapping or serving food are all recyclable. Just make sure they’re clean before popping them in your recycling bag or bin.
Did you know, recycling metal uses around 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials, and it can be recycled endlessly without losing quality, so don’t let that foil go to waste!
Unfortunately, disposable BBQs can’t be recycled. Make sure it’s cooled fully (this can take several hours) before putting it in the general rubbish.
2. Cheers to that – don’t forget your cans and bottles!
Whether you're enjoying chilled drinks at a BBQ, beach, or festival, remember to recycle your empties. Metal cans, glass bottles, and most plastic drink bottles are easily recycled across Wales.
Just 1 recycled can saves enough energy to power a TV for 2 hours, so make sure you pop your can or bottle into the right recycling bin – whether you’re at home, at a campsite or in a crowd.
3. Cut food waste, not fun
Garden parties, picnics and sunny-day feasts often mean extra food – and extra waste. Try to plan ahead, use what you buy, and get creative with leftovers. From speedy pasta salads to fruit platters, there’s plenty you can whip up with what you already have.
Can’t eat it? Recycle it! All food waste – including bones, eggshells and teabags – can go in your food waste caddy. In Wales, our food waste is turned into renewable energy, powering homes across the country.
4. From dry shampoo to deodorant – aerosols can be recycled
Getting ready for a wedding, a night out, or a festival? Empty cans of dry shampoo, deodorant, hairspray or shaving gel can all go in your recycling. A small action, big impact: recycling two aerosol saves enough energy to power a DJ set for one hour.
5. Paper, card and packaging
From ice lolly boxes and snack packaging to parcels arriving with your summer orders – most card and paper can be recycled. Just remove any non-recyclable bits like plastic windows or sticky tape and flatten boxes to save space in your recycling bin.
6. Green up your garden the smart way
Weeding, mowing or finally planting that veg patch? Don’t let your garden waste go to waste. Most councils in Wales offer garden waste recycling, turning your trimmings into compost used by farmers and gardeners across the country.
Check your local council’s website to see what’s collected in your area and when.
7. Recycle on the go – wherever summer takes you
Day-tripping? Visiting events, beaches or tourist spots? Thanks to new recycling rules in Wales, all public places and businesses must now provide recycling bins for paper, card, glass, plastic and food waste.
So, whether you’re snacking at one of Wales’ fab attractions or enjoying a couple of drinks at an event, you can recycle just like you do at home – helping keep Wales clean and green.
Recycling well this spring and summer is one of the simplest ways you can help protect the planet. Every item you recycle brings us one step closer to making Wales number one in the world. Come on Cymru, we’ve got this!
