Give your items a second chance for National Recycle Week 2024

This year’s theme, “Rescue Me,” highlights the importance of simple actions to repurpose items to help make a significant difference to the environment. 

Residents are encouraged to repurpose items like colouring pens, wine glasses, jars, used clothes and hats, and old Christmas decorations. Planting pots can be donated to community groups and allotment sites that are accepting donations.  

Local charities like Aldridge Shed are accepting donations on any wood working machine tools and furniture and machinery. The tools and woodwork are re-waxed and repurposed for reuse and ready to sell. Find out more here: Wanted ~ The Aldridge Shed.

Residents can also check their local Community Association to see which craft groups who meet at their sites are accepting creative items. 

There are two Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in the borough of Walsall which are free for residents to use: Fryers Road, Bloxwich and Merchants Way, Aldridge. The recycling centres can collect items such as asbestos, batteries, furniture, televisions, clothes and accessories, glass (bottles and jars), scrap metal, fluorescent tubes and shoes.  

All you need to do is book a van in advance by visiting the Council’s website  but only for residents taking their household waste. Vans and trailer appointments at Merchants Way: 07901 100305. Vans and trailer appointment at Fryers Road: 07870 253088. 

Creative tips for reusing Items: 

• Plastic bottle planters: Cut plastic bottles can be used as planters for small plants. 
• Donate items in good condition to charities or charity shops. 
• Glass and bottle art: Artists have found creative ways to use jars plastic bottles to create glass painting sculptures, and even decorative functional objects 
• Donate old clothing or old towels to dog and cat rescue centres and places like the West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue service.  
• Old clothing can be stitched into storage bags or used as cleaning rags. 
• Donate old Christmas trees and decorations to local community groups offering art and craft sessions. 
• Bicycle recycling: Used bicycles can be donated to charity, refurbished for resale, or even used to create parts for other roadworthy products. 
• Reuse wrapping paper or gift bags.  

Walsall Council also reminds residents to dispose of their waste correctly using the borough’s recycling and waste collection services.  

For more information on recycling and waste disposal in Walsall, please visit https://go.walsall.gov.uk/bins. 

 Ends

Notes to the Editor: 

Ways to reduce waste: 

• Only buy what you need and use what you buy. 
• Buy loose fruit and vegetables and avoid heavily packaged items. 
• Sign up for paperless billing or banking. 
• Buy products with refillable packaging. 
• Compost food waste at home if possible. 
• Mend clothing instead of buying new. 
• Buy items with a longer lifespan, such as rechargeable batteries and reusable items. 

Contact the street care and cleaning teams via the Council's Website.

• Remember to dispose of your waste responsibly. There are plenty of ways to dispose of waste responsibly in Walsall, so those who still choose to fly-tip will be prosecuted. 

• The council offers a bulky items collection service for residents who may struggle to take larger items to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. This can be booked through the Council website.  

Find Household Waste Recycling Centres (tips) | Walsall Council 

Opening times 

• Fryers Road Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), Bloxwich: Every day (except Thursday) from 9.00am – 4.00pm, late opening Thursdays 10.00am - 5.00pm 
• Merchants Way Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), Aldridge: Every day (except Tuesday) from 9.00am - 4.00pm, late opening Tuesdays 10.00am - 5.00pm