Waste & Recycling Services
There is a need to conserve our planet’s valuable resources. In recent years we have been using natural resources up at an incredible rate; since just 1950 we have consumed as much as all the generations before us, combined!
Part of the process of conservation is effective waste management, which promotes the three R’s - ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.
The European Union has set out ongoing recycling targets for all members to achieve. Down District Council must continue to improve recycling rates to avoid substantial fines. Currently our recycling rate is around 40%.
Down District Council operates a KERBSIDE collection service for domestic waste. Read more about this here.
Carrier Bag Levy
From 8 April 2013, everyone will be charged at least 5p for new single use carrier bags whenever they shop in Northern Ireland. The main aim is to help protect the environment by cutting the number of carrier bags we use.
For more information, please visit the NI Direct website.
Ink Cartridge Recycling
One way of dealing with Ink Cartridge Recycling is by using Inking About Africa.
From recycling used printer cartridges and unwanted mobile phones, Inking About Africa is making a big difference to many schools throughout The Gambia from supplying stationery items to funding for building projects.
Not only is the charity supporting child education in one of Africa’s poorest countries, this also provides an environmental solution to reduce UK landfill sites as most people tend to simply throw these items out rather than take them to local recycling centres. Inking About Africa offers a completely free postal and courier service, allowing people to recycle from the comfort of their home or business. It is estimated that over 30 million printer cartridges will end up in our UK landfill site each year. These are the cartridges we are aiming to recycle and make a difference with.
Find our more information at www.inkingaboutafrica.org