Recycle on the go in Edinburgh with #intheloop
In our increasingly busy lives, we’re eating and drinking more when we’re out and about. This new trend produces a lot of packaging, much of which isn’t being recycled. In Edinburgh, a RECOUP study showed 1/3 of materials thrown away from on-street bins could actually be recycled! The good news is Edinburgh will soon be #InTheLoop, with new recycling bins installed in the city centre.
Since 2018 we’ve been trialling ways to increase the amount we recycle in Leeds City Centre. Following the success of this trial, we went one further and made Swansea our first #InTheLoop city. Edinburgh is next, and we have ambitions to bring a further 10 cities #InTheLoop in 2020.
From 22nd October you’ll be able to recycle empty plastic bottles, cans and coffee cups. Keep an eye out for the hard-to-miss bins, plus events, installations and bright communications to remind you to recycle and keep this VIP packaging #InTheLoop. Here’s everything you need to know about Our Edinburgh #InTheLoop:
How to recycle on the go in Edinburgh
1) Recycle empty plastic bottles and cans in yellow recycling bins
Keep hold of your plastic bottles and cans, and recycle them in one of the yellow recycling bins across the city centre. Make sure they’re empty – leftover food and liquid can contaminate the recycling meaning the whole lot may go to waste.
2) Recycle empty coffee cups in orange bins and in partner stores
Coffee cups have a unique blend of paper and a plastic coating, meaning they need their own separate collection to be recycled properly. Recycle your empty coffee cups in new orange coffee cup recycling bins on the streets or at any Starbucks, Caffè Nero, Costa, McDonald’s or Pret a Manger. Remember to keep them out of regular recycling bins and drink up before recycling.
3) If in doubt, keep it out
We all love the good feeling you get from recycling, but remember to recycle only what’s being asked for. Follow the signs on the recycling bins and if in doubt, leave it out. If the wrong thing ends up in recycling it could create contamination meaning the whole lot could go to waste. For now, leave out crisp packets, sandwich wraps, coffee cup lids, cardboard food containers and polystyrene trays – these can’t be recycled.
4) Tell people you know
Spread the word! Tell everyone you know that Edinburgh is now #InTheLoop and that plastic bottles, cans and coffee cups can be recycled in the city centre. You can follow what’s going on with #InTheLoop!
What’s on in Edinburgh
Check out Infinitinny in St. Andrew’s square
Talented artists Sam Cornwell and Cody Lukas have designed Infinitinny, a sustainable, solar powered art installation that shows the value of plastic bottles, cans and coffee cups. Put these materials back #InTheLoop and give them a second life, to Infinitinny… and beyond!
Also, keep an eye out for our cheeky bubble bins that burp bubbles as waste is deposited, and stay tuned for pop-up events during the campaign.
Become an our Edinburgh #intheloop ambassador
Do you live in Edinburgh? Do you care about the environment and want to help locals cut waste? We’re looking for local ambassadors to help out at campaign events and pop-ups, and chat to residents to help get more people recycling on-the-go. Interested? Drop us a line at enterprise@hubbub.org.uk and we’ll share more info.
