Bourne to Recycle Plastic

Plastic is one of the most versatile and commonly used materials of modern times. In fact we now use about 20 times more plastic than we did 50 years ago.  Many types of plastic can be recycled and used to create new products, but we can still recycle more.

Each year the average UK household uses 480 plastic bottles, but only recycles 270 of them - so nearly half (44%) are NOT put in the recycling.  Nationally, of the 35 million plastic bottles being used every day, nearly 16 million aren’t being recycled.  If this trend is not reversed, by the end of 2020 the UK will have wasted nearly 30 billion plastic bottles!

Here in Eastbourne you can recycle a wide variety of plastic items with your kerbside collection.

What plastics go in your recycling bin?

Mixed plastics including,

• All clear and coloured plastic bottles from around the home.  Remove any pumps from detergent and soap bottles and dispose of these in the rubbish bin.  Triggers can be left on cleaning product bottles for recycling.  You can safely recycle bleach bottles by making sure the bottle is empty and the lid is left on
• Plastic yogurt, soup, cream and salad pots
• Plastic margarine, butter and ice-cream tubs
• Plastic meat, fruit or biscuit trays
• Plastic film and wrapping
• Blister packs, which are sealed plastic packaging containing batteries, toys and tablets

What stays out?

• Pesticide or chemical bottles
• Plastic plant pots
• Hard plastics, such as children's toys, milk crates and Polystyrene, e.g. for packaging and coffee cups
• Bubble Wrap
• Black plastic sacks

Tips for recycling

• Make sure plastic bottles and food containers are empty
• Wash and squash to save space in your bin
• If you’re on the go; put your plastic bottle or container in a bag and recycle it when you get home rather than throwing it in a waste bin

Did you know?

The energy saving from recycling one bottle will:

• Power a 100 watt light bulb for almost an hour
• Power a computer for 25 minutes
• Power a colour TV for 20 minutes
• Power a washing machine for 10 minutes
  
  

There are about 1,000 milk jugs and other bottles in a recycled plastic park bench!

Many products are made from recycled plastic, including packaging materials like bottles and food trays; construction materials such as flooring and insulation board; material for fleece clothing and filling for bedding and duvets.

Spring into Action with Bourne to Recycle and you could win £250!!!

Our recycling rewards scheme, Bourne to Recycle, offers all Eastbourne residents the chance to win cash prizes in a monthly draw.  This spring we’re offering a one-off prize draw of £250! Have you signed up yet?

All Eastbourne residents are encouraged to register and commit to recycle as many of their household items as possible with Bourne to Recycle.  The scheme will help to increase the borough's recycling rate which is presently at 35%.  We need your help to improve it!

As a thank you for your recycling efforts and helping to increase our recycling rate, all registered homes are entered into a monthly prize draw, with cash prizes of £100 each for five lucky winners.  In April we’re offering a one-off prize draw of £250 on top of the five £100 prizes.  You have to be in it to win it and all you have to do is sign-up and recycle – what are you waiting for?

Registering is easy and takes just a few minutes.  Simply visit www.eastbourne.gov.uk/bournetorecycle or call Customer First on 01323 410000 and one of the team will be happy to sign you up.