Residents are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment as part of Recycle Week 2017.

Running from 25 September – 1 October, the themed week, organised by Zero Waste Scotland, will see organisations across Scotland raising awareness of the importance of recycling and encouraging people to become ‘waste warriors’. In North Ayrshire, the Council’s Waste Awareness Team will be setting up stalls in the area in a bid to spread information on how residents can reap the rewards of recycling, reusing and ultimately reducing waste.

By reducing the amount of waste placed in the grey bin, which ends up at a landfill site, and by utilising the Council’s blue and brown bin service, residents can ensure they do their bit to protect the environment and drive down the annual £2.5million spent on landfilling in North Ayrshire.

The team will be visiting the Vikingar in Largs on Friday September 29 from 9am-11am.

Earlier this year, the Council approved plans to change to the area’s brown bin collection service due to budget pressures. These changes will come into effect on 6 November and will see brown bins (garden and food waste) collected on a two-weekly basis, rather than weekly.

A letter detailing the changes and a collection calander letting residents know when to present their bins for collection will be issued later next month.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place said: “We’re fortunate to have so many residents committed to doing their bit when it comes to reducing waste. It’s due to their ongoing hard work and dedication that North Ayrshire is one of the top performing areas when it comes to recycling.

“Recycle Week provides us with a great opportunity for our team of experts to get out into our communities and ensure everyone is aware of how they can join the drive to reduce waste.

“These events also give local residents a chance to chat to the team about the upcoming brown bin collection changes and how they can make small adjustments to their everyday routine which would help to reduce the amount of food and garden waste they produce.

“To supplement this, every household across North Ayrshire will be receiving a letter and a calendar detailing the upcoming changes, ahead of them coming into effect.

“I’d encourage everyone to try and get along to one of the events and discover new ways to recycle, reuse and reduce waste. I’d also like to thank residents for their continued commitment to drive down waste here in North Ayrshire.”

More information on recycling in North Ayrshire is available on the Council’s website: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/bins-litter-and-recycling/recycling/recycling.aspx