DORSET Council is urging residents to ‘Step It Up’ this week in the 'biggest and best Recycle Week ever'.

It is encouraging better recycling habits to protect the environment and help in the fight against climate change.

While many Dorset residents recycle, research from campaign group Recycle Now reveals more than half of all households put items in the general rubbish bin that can be recycled; including aerosols and plastic toiletry (shampoo and conditioner bottles), plastic trays and cleaning and bleach bottles. This, say Recycle Now and Dorset Council, is where people need to ‘Step It Up’.

Gemma Clinton, Head of Commercial Waste and Strategy at Dorset Council, said: “Despite the challenges we continue to face as a result of the pandemic and the national HGV driver shortage, Dorset enjoys one of the best kerbside recycling services in the country, which is reflected by our high recycling rates.

"The reduction, reuse and recycling of our county’s waste is a key part of our Climate and Ecological Emergency strategy, so it’s more important than ever that we keep recycling - for the benefit of our beautiful county and those of us lucky enough to live here now and in the future.”

Top tips for recycling in Dorset:

* Recycle more of these items: Food waste (use your food waste bin), toiletry bottles and pots (shampoo, soap, creams etc.)

* Make sure these never go in the recycling bin: Batteries (use a battery bag), tissue paper, used nappies, crisp packets, plastic wrapping and clingfilm

* If you’re at all unsure about how to recycle a specific item, check out the Which Bin? webpages on the Dorset Council website. Recycle Now’s Recycling Locator can show you exactly what needs to go in the recycling bin where you live – just pop in your postcode

This year Recycle Now welcomes a celebrity ambassador to front Recycle Week 2021 and is delighted to be working with TV presenter, Invictus Games medallist and Strictly Come Dancing Star JJ Chalmers for the national campaign.

For the second year running major brands are putting their support/backing behind the week by donating to help fund it including: Amazon, British Soft Drinks Association, Britvic, Coca-Cola, Coop, Danone, innocent drinks, Listerine, McDonald’s, The Natural Source Waters Association, Ocado, PepsiCo, Prevented Ocean Plastic, and Waitrose and Partners UK.