ISLAND schools are taking part in a campaign to boost electrical recycling this week (June 21 to 27).
They are taking part in Recycle Week’s Rewards For Schools, where prizes are up for grabs to the 'sparkiest’ school in the region.
The new initiative is part of national Recycle Week, which this year is focusing on small electricals — that means anything with a battery or plug including cameras, kids’ toys, hairdryers, kitchen appliances and power tools.
Each of us accumulates three new electrical items each year on average, or 173 million nationally, but only one in five of our small electricals gets recycled.
Primary schools taking part include Barton, Broadlea, Carisbrooke, Chillerton and Rookley, Gatten and Lake, Godshill, Gurnard, Newport, Northwood, Oakfield, Sandham, St Boniface, St Helens, St Wilfrids, and Summerfields, while Mayfield and Sandham middle schools are also participating. They will be raising awareness of how to recycle old and broken gadgets and appliances locally.
All recycling pledges will be entered into a free prize draw to win an eco-kettle or DAB clock radio with iPod dock.
By following through your pledge and recycling unwanted or broken electricals at a participating school during Recycle Week, the school could win garden centre vouchers to help improve their outdoor space.
Come and find the recycling team at Newport Market on Tuesday to see the sorts of things you can recycle and make your pledge to recycle your electrical items.
From white goods to electric recliners, you could offer your items for reuse by the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Take your unwanted item to the warehouse at 16a Riverway Newport or for bulky goods call 01983 244230 to arrange a collection.
Laura Kay, the IW Council’s waste minimisation and recycling officer, said: "It is really easy to recycle or reuse small electricals and with Rewards for Schools, you can support your community at the same time.
"The message is, if it has a plug or a battery and you no longer want it, set it free. However you choose to get involved in Recycle Week, together we can make a big difference."
Whether it’s digging out unwanted small electricals for recycling or reuse, supporting your local school, cutting waste in your kitchen or using a compost bin, find out how you can support Recycle Week at www.recyclenow.com.
For more information, check with the recycling team at IW Council by contacting 01983 823777, emailing recycle@iow.gov.uk, or checking the website at www.iwight.com/waste.