Recycle plea over eggsess Easter waste

A RECYCLING campaign is aiming to make sure Easter isn’t a bad time for the environment.

Easter is that time of year when families and friends indulge in a chocolate eggstravaganza.

Recycle for Greater Manchester wants to encourage local residents to consider the recycling of the eggsess packaging and material which normally arises at this time of year.

Approximately 80 million chocolate eggs are sold in the UK at Easter which generates around 4,370 tonnes of card and 160 tonnes of foil waste.

Additionally, about 10 million cards are sent and received at Easter, all of which adds up to a staggering 8,000 tonnes of waste generated from Easter egg packaging and cards.

Recycling is easy — simply put your paper and card in your paper and card recycling bin and any foil in your mixed recycling bin.

And if you’re left with too much chocolate there are lots of recipes to help you make the most of your chocolate indulgence on the website www.lovefoodhatewaste.com. 

Councillor Neil Swannick, chairman of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, said: “Easter is a perfect time to spend time with the family, hopefully enjoy some good weather and eat your chocolate eggs.

Leftovers
“Nowadays, companies are much more conscious with their Easter egg packaging and we want this to continue in the future, as well as reducing, re-using and recycling what we can.

“People should also consider and review their food purchasing and cooking habits with a view to maintaining food freshness, extending usage, and making better use of leftovers, which can save up to £50 per month.”

For more information on what you can do to recycle more, waste less and save money this Easter, visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com.