Recycling A-Z


	Recycling A-Z

The mantra for our times is Reduce - Reuse - Recycle. However, we need to add another “R” to our environmental chant and that is RETHINK. We simply must reconsider the ways we abuse the environment and take responsibilty for our actions. Oh, there is another “R” for our environmental hymn - RESPONSIBILITY. We can no longer assume that the damage to our planet will heal itself or just ‘go away’ if we ignore it. We must stand up and make the change, set an example and look for every opportunity to affect a change in our daily lives.


	What WE are doing! As a member of EcoCongregation Scotland NewMachar Church has already taken the first step in making changes within the church. We no longer use disposible cups, plates and cutlery. The church office recycles office products and ink cartridges and reduses materials by using only recylced paper, printing on both sides and printing amounts sufficient for consumption.

In addition to using our Traidcraft products whenever possible,
the church has adopted a more conscious approach to items we purchase and their packaging. In a household as large as NewMachar Church, every effort is made to reduce the non-recyclable products coming through our doors and to recycle every item that can be recycled. Even the projects in the Crafts at the Kirk contain many recycled and reused materials.

For your convenience, recycling bins can be found in the church’s Entry Hall for household batteries, mobile phones, postage stamps, ink cartridges and eyeglasses.

But this is just the beginning and we have a long way to go. But, as a family, we must all do our part to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Below you will find a list of Recycling tips for some of the bits we have around the house that can’t go into the containers at the Village Hall Recycling Centre. You will also find very useful links to websites that offer more information.


	What WE can do! Recycling A-Z

TetraPak Recycling comes to Aberdeen!
For too long cardboard drinks cartons (TetraPaks) have been banned from recycling. The recylce locations for TetraPaks are still limited, but in time we should see them at ever local centre. Fro now, you may recycle TetraPaks at these location:

Asda superstore Garthdee, Asda superstore Dyce, Sainsbury’s supermarket Garthdee, Sainsbury’s supermarket Berryden Road and Bridge of Don Park and Ride. And in Inverurie at
Souterford Road Recycling Centre, Souterford Road. For more information of recylcing TetraPaks, see http://www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/

Below is a partial list of the methods and locations for recylcing common items. To see the complete list, go to the Aberdeen Waste Aware website

Adhesives and Glues	These should be taken to the ‘household chemical’ container at Greenbank Crescent Recycling Centre, Bankhead Avenue, East Tullos for safe disposal.
Aerosol cans	These cannot be collected for recycling in Aberdeen City. Waste Minimisation Top Tip: Where available, buy pump sprays instead of aerosols
Bubble wrap	Save to reuse when sending large items or moving home. Small quantities can be recycled with plastic bags at in-store supermarket recycling facilities. Top Tip: Bubble Wrap makes great insulation around pipes and in drafty crawlspaces!
Building Materials	Building materials can be taken to Greenbank Crescent Recycling Centre, Pitmedden Road Recycling Centre and Bankhead Avenue Recycling Centre for disposal. Only one car boot or small trailer load of waste will be accepted at any one time. Alternatively, you can hire a skip to dispose of this type of waste. For local skip hire companies, see the Yellow Pages .
Cameras	‘Cameras 4 Charity’, a project run by Photo Voice which teaches photographic skills to disadvantaged communities all over the world accepts cameras in good working order. Any quality digital cameras accepted. They will also accept 35mm camera film - even if it’s slightly out of date (Please no slide film). Call 020 7033 3878 or visit www.photovoice.org
Chemicals	Household chemicals such as garden fertiliser, weedkiller, insecticides, biocides, pest-control pellets, glues, paint and solvents can be taken to Greenbank Crescent Recycling Centre for safe disposal.
Cling Film	Cling film cannot be recycled. Where possible, use reusable containers rather than cling film to store food.
Computers	Reprocessor Limited provides a computer recycling facility at Unit B7,Greenbank Business Centre, Greenbank Road, East Tullos, Aberdeen, or by telephone on Tel: 01224 872444, Email: info@reprocessor.com , Website: www.reprocessor.com They charge £8 for a monitor and £5 for a PC ‘Donate a PC’ - www.donateapc.org.uk – is a free online 'matchmaking' service for individuals and organisations to donate unneeded computers and IT equipment to UK charities, not-for-profit organisations and educational establishments. Unwanted computers and IT equipment can be taken to the Waste Electrical container at your local Recycling Centre. TOP TIP: If you are buying a new computer, ask in-store about their recycling policy and any take-back service offered.
DIY Materials	Unwanted paint stripper, wallpaper stripper, silicone sealant should be taken to the Household Chemical container at Tullos Recycling Centre for safe disposal. TOP TIP: Unwanted paint brushes, rollers and paint trays in good condition can be donated to your local charity shop for reuse. Your local school, Youth Group or Community Centre may also seek these types of materials for craft projects.
Duvets & Pillows	Duvets and pillows in good condition can be donated to Aberdeen Cyrenians. Their Gallowgate 01224 647360 and Summer Street 01224 625732 can be contacted directly. These will be distributed to disadvantaged members of the community. Duvets and pillows can also be recycled at your local textile recycling point at Perwinnes or Ptimedden
Electrical and Electronic Equipment	Electrical and electronic equipment in good condition can be donated to your local charity shop, or local social care reuse scheme. British Heart Foundation 0844 4994141 or 587306 and Instant Neighbour 01224 213 666 offer a free collection of household electrical items in very good condition for reuse. Producer responsibility for Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) items which means everything that is either battery operated or mains electricity powered. New legislation makes manufacturers and retailers of electrical equipment responsible for funding the recycling of these items. Whether that means they provide a recycling collection service or they opted into the councils service. Each Manufacturer and retailer can advise you when you are purchasing a new item how you can recycle it safely. WEEE includes: fridge's and freezers, cookers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, washing machines and tumble dryers, televisions, radios and CD players, VCRs, computers and monitors, fluorescent tubes, DVD players, kettles and toasters, electric and battery operated toys, calculators, telephones and mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, side lamps, and food mixers. If you cannot utilise the facilities offered at the Recycling Centres, you can arrange to have your old fridge, freezer or large white goods collected as part of Aberdeen City Council’s bulky uplift service. TOP TIP: You may also be able to take advantage of 'take back' service offered by electrical retailers when you purchase new electrical goods.
Fire Extinguishers	These should not be disposed of in your general refuse, even if they empty. Contact Grampian Fire and Rescue on 01224 696666 for advice, especially if they contain gas or powder.
Foil	Foil cannot accept foil for recycling either as part of your kerbside recycling collection service or your local Recycling Point. A recent waste analysis showed that less than half of 1% of all material thrown away is foil or foil containers. As Aberdeen City Council's waste reduction targets are based on the weight of material separated for recycling it is not currently viable for us to offer a kerbside collection of foil. If you have large amounts of foil, or foil containers, contact Panda Rosa Metals 01224 820482.
Foreign Coins	Foreign coins, including old currency from Countries which now use Euro can be donated to any branch of Oxfam. Marie Curie Cancer Care 0245 601 3107 and the Royal National Institute for the Blind 020 7388 1266 also accept coins.
Fridge's & Freezers	Fridge's and freezers in good condition can be donated to your local charity shop, or local social care reuse scheme. British Heart Foundation 0844 4994141 and Instant Neighbour 01224 213 666 all offer a free collection of fridge's and freezers in very good condition for reuse. Fridge's and Freezers are now classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and facilities are available at your local Recycling Centres to collect these for recycling (check the centres listed below). TOP TIP: When purchasing a new fridge or freezer, remember to ask your retailer if they offer a ‘take back’ service. There may be a charge for this.
Hazardous Waste	ALL TYPES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE including paint, pesticides, batteries, poisons, battery acid, paint stripper, household cleaners and chemicals, weed killers, medicines, tablets and fluorescent tubes should be taken to your local Recycling Centre for appropriate disposal. NEVER dispose of chemical liquids down your drain
Light Bulbs	Light bulbs cannot be recycled as the metal filaments and elements they contain contaminate the glass recycling process. Light bulbs should be placed in your general refuse bin for disposal to landfill.Energy saving light bulbs are classed as household chemicals and should be disposed of at Greenbank Centre
Plastic packaging	Plastic packaging such as yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, plastic food trays, fruit punnits, detergent liquid tablet containers, ice-cream tubs, salad trays and any other type of plastic packaging cannot be collected for recycling, so try to reduce their use.
Plastic bags	*Refuse* these at supermarket check-outs and take your own reusable bag or crate instead. Supermarket carrier bags can also be reused when you are doing your grocery shopping – even if you are visiting a different store.Tesco, Asda and Somerfield supermarkets offer a plastic bag recycling container in-store. Ask at the Customer Service desk for more information. TOP TIP: Reuse carrier bags as pedal bin liners.
Polystyrene	Polystyrene food trays or egg boxes cannot be recycled and should be placed in your general waste container for disposal to landfill. If you have large blocks of polystyrene following a home delivery of furniture or electrical equipment ask the delivery staff to take back the packaging back to the store with them. TOP TIP: Use for household insulation to reduce drafts and heating bills.
Tyres	Take worn tyres back to the dealer where new ones were purchased or take to a local garage. They may make a charge for disposal. Tyres can be taken for recycling to Recycling Centres in Aberdeenshire. The closest tyre recycling facility is at Redcloak Household Waste & Recycling Centre, Stonehaven. Alternatively, old tyres can be used to create compost bins, flower or plant containers
Vacuum cleaner dust	Vacuum cleaner dust can be composted in your home compost unit. However as the dust is likely to contain man-made carpet fibres and some impurities like particles of metal and plastic it is not suitable if you wish to make totally organic compost.


	RECYCLING CENTRES






			Useful Links: Aberdeen City Waste Team: A-Z of recycling tips and centres Sort It: Sort It aims to provide you with useful information and practical advice on how you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your household waste in Scotland. Sort It lists a wide range of local and national outlets, facilities and services to help you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your household waste. Waste Aware Scotland All you need to know about recycling and local recyclng centres for our area Composting Bins from Waste Aware Creative Waste Exchange: good quality, low cost craft materials and stationery. All our stock has been donated by local businesses and householders and would otherwise have gone to landfill.