Derby will be taking part in Recycle Week 2025, the UK’s annual campaign - led by WRAP and Recycle Now. First launched in 2004, the initiative is now in its 22nd year and runs from 22–28 September. 

The national campaign encourages people across the country to recycle more of the everyday items that often get missed.  

As part of the celebrations, Derby’s Recycling team will have an information stand at the Council House on Wednesday 24 September from 10:30am to 3pm and will have their interactive stall at Derby Festé on Saturday 27 September from 12noon to 6pm, where visitors can take part in games, win prizes, and pick up practical tips to boost their recycling knowledge. 

This year’s theme, “Rescue Me! Recycle”, shines a spotlight on the items that too often end up in the rubbish bin but can, and should, be recycled - from shampoo bottles and aerosols to yoghurt pots, foil, and toilet roll tubes. 

Why it matters 

Waste is anything that we discard – from household rubbish, food scraps and packaging to broken items, garden waste and materials from business and industry. Much of this waste could be reused or recycled, but when lost to the rubbish bin, often ends up being incinerated or in landfill - losing these resources forever, and having a greater impact on the environment.  

In the UK, households generate around 413 kg of waste per person each year - more than 1 kg every day. In Derby we recycle around 40% of this, leaving almost 60% not reused or recycled. This is compared to an average 44% of waste being recycled nationally.  

Recycling also makes financial sense. It costs far less than landfill or incineration, freeing up money that can be invested back into local services and improvements for Derby communities. 

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said: 

Recycle Week is a reminder that every item we put in the right bin makes a difference. By rescuing overlooked items - things like aerosols, shampoo bottles and yoghurt pots - we can reduce waste, save resources and make Derby cleaner and greener.

Catherine David, CEO of WRAP, added: 

Recycle Week continues to be a powerful moment to inspire action across the UK, and this year’s Rescue Me! Recycle campaign is no exception. By highlighting everyday items like shampoo bottles, foil, and cleaning product bottles - things we often overlook - we’re helping people see the real impact of small changes. Together with local authorities and communities, we’re making it easier to do the right thing and keep valuable materials in use.

How you can help

Your blue bin accepts: 

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Food tins and drinks cans
  • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Food and drink cartons

And don’t forget to rescue these often-missed items that should also go in your blue bin: 

  • Toilet roll tubes
  • Shampoo bottles and other plastic toiletry bottles
  • Trigger sprays and cleaning product bottles
  • Aerosols
  • Aftershave and perfume bottles
  • Yoghurt pots
  • Clean kitchen foil and foil trays (no food residue)

Remember to 'wash and squash' the items and, with your help, we can make sure these valuable materials get recycled and put back to good use.

For full details of what goes in each bin in Derby, visit our website and use the online Recycling Helper tool.