Creation Care Tip of the Week

Creation Care Tip

This week we are concentrating on reducing and recycling plastic. These figures may be of interest:

🔍 Recycling Rates by Local Authority (2022-2023)

Local Authority	Recycling Rate (%)	Trend (vs. Previous Year)
Central Bedfordshire Council	52%	🔺 Slight Increase
Bedford Borough Council	48%	🔻 Slight Decrease
Luton Borough Council	34%	🔻 Below UK Average

👉 UK Average Recycling Rate (2023): 44-45%

• Central Bedfordshire performs above the national average due to strong recycling programs.

• Bedford Borough has a decent rate but has seen a slight drop due to contamination in recycling bins.

• Luton struggles with lower recycling rates, partially due to high urban density and challenges in waste separation.

📌 What Happens to Waste in Bedfordshire?

• Recyclables (paper, plastics, glass, metal) are sorted and sent for processing.

• Non-recyclable waste is sent to energy recovery facilities (incineration) rather than landfill.

• Organic waste (food and garden waste) is composted into soil enrichment products.

• Landfill waste is minimized, with most waste being diverted to alternative treatment methods.

🔄 How Can Recycling Improve in Bedfordshire?

✅ Reduce Contamination: Many recyclables are rejected due to food waste contamination.✅ Increase Public Awareness: More education on what can and can't be recycled.✅ Improve Collection Systems: Introduction of more separate food waste bins could boost rates.

Some of these improvements are out of our control, but can we, individually, do any better?