To tie into the week's theme of 'recycling at home and away', residents are being encouraged to donate unwanted books to help children in countries as far away as Tanzania. Recycling and refuse collectors have helped get things underway by donating some of their old books.
Chris Medhusrt recycling collector for Veolia in Southwark said, "I get through lots of books and love the thought of them being put to good use. It’s great to know that these books be provided to children in Tanzania where they will be read again and again."
Fabrice Bouchon, General Manager for Veolia in Southwark said: "Recycle Week is a great opportunity for us to shout about the wide range of materials that can be recycled in the borough, whether you are using your blue bin, clear bag or communal bin at home, or visiting the many recycling bring bank sites located around borough. We would like to encourage everyone to recycle as much as they can, not just during Recycle Week, but every week to help our environment and ensure that recyclable materials are being put to good use."
Councillor Darren Merrill, Cabinet Member for Recycling and Environment, said: "I am pleased to be supporting this Read International initiative as part of this year's Recycling Week. The scheme shows that recycling is not just great for the environment but can also be an altruistic gesture that helps children in poorer parts of the world. This is such a great cause and I hope all residents donate as much as they can."
If you don’t have any books there are still plenty of materials you can recycle at home such as paper, cardboard, glass, tins, cans, tetra paks, food cartons, plastic bottles and more. Away from home there are recycling bring banks located all around the borough which accept items such as batteries, small electrical goods, textiles, DVDs, videos, shoes and more, which cannot be included in household collections.