New Recycle Bermuda Campaign Launches

September 29, 2014

The Sustainable Development Department, in partnership with the Waste Management Section of the Ministry of Public Works, today [Sept 29] launched a new two-week Recycle Bermuda campaign.

The value and importance of recycling to the island will be promoted from September 29 through October 11, 2014.

A spokesperson said, “This Recycle Bermuda campaign is the brainchild of Sustainable Development volunteer and Bermuda College graduate Claudie Richardson. She, along with college student Alicia Kirby, spent time outside of their busy schedules to make this idea a reality.

“According to the 2010 census, 48 percent of all households indicated that they participate in Bermuda’s TAG recycling programme [tin, aluminium, and glass], yet only 20 percent of all TAG recyclables make it into Bermuda’s recycling stream.

“The Recycle Bermuda activities will help residents understand how to effectively participate in recycling and how our waste contributes to Bermuda’s economic, social and environmental development.

“Recycling is the process of changing waste materials into new products. It reduces Bermuda’s total carbon footprint significantly by keeping reusable material out of the waste-to-energy incinerator at Tynes Bay and diverts material from the Airport Waste facility.

“Increasing recycling participation may also help to offset the cost of waste management. The community also receives health benefits because recycling lessens the concentrations of air and water pollution, and will help to mitigate climate change.

“Globally, the importance of recycling is increasing as many people seek to vacation in sustainable destinations. Bermuda is also well placed to demonstrate that small islands can make significant contributions that support the well being for their residents and for the world.”

Minister of Public Works Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said, “Recycling is a partnership between the Government, every organization and each resident – all of whom have a stake in Bermuda’s future and recycling is something each of us can do to make a difference.”

“Recycle Bermuda will be a mixed media public relations approach that will target a broad range of residents. The outreach consists of an educational Recycling Toolkit, social media posts, radio interviews, electronic circulars, print messaging and public service announcements on CITV.

“One of the events, Reverse TAG Day, gives the public the opportunity to dispose of a tin aluminium, or glass item rather than encouraging a monetary donation as with most tag days. Residents will then have the opportunity to be entered into a draw for valuable prizes which include vouchers for gym membership at Ocean View and Olympic Club, dinner for two at the Little Venice Group, and a one-night stay at the Fairmont Southampton.

“This event will be held on October 9 [rain date October 10] in front of City Hall and at Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, Dr. E.F Gordon and Barr’s Bay parks during the lunch hours of 11.00am – 2.00pm.

“An Open House of Bermuda’s impressive Materials Recovery Facility will also take place on October 11 at the old Government Quarry in Hamilton Parish at 10.30am. Spaces are limited, so be sure to email your RSVP to recycle@gov.bm by October 8.

“For further information on all the events taking place around Bermuda join Recycle Bermuda on Facebook or visit www.sdbermuda.bm.

“The Sustainable Development Department and Waste Management Section of Public Works are thankful to all of the private, public and community groups that have joined to support Bermuda’s sustainability by raising the awareness of recycling.”

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Category: All, Environment, News

Comments (11)

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  1. Gun Slinger says:

    How about you beginning by picking up the blue recycling bags on their scheduled days?

  2. Clarity says:

    Wait, do we even have a recycling plant? I thought it closed down years ago. Wouldn’t it cost more money to have these items shipped away?
    It’s good to reduce the carbon footprint, no doubt- but what about the economic footprint? “/

    • Mare says:

      I’d like to know where the glass bottles and cans are going? With no recycling plant, are they being exported, or used as landfill?

    • Good morning Clarity,
      “An Open House of Bermuda’s impressive Materials Recovery Facility will also take place on October 11 at the old Government Quarry in Hamilton Parish at 10.30am. Spaces are limited, so be sure to email your RSVP to recycle@gov.bm by October 8.”
      The new facility has been open since 2006.
      Looking forward to seeing you there.

  3. memorylo$$ says:

    Recycling should be legislated, period. A small percentage of the island make the effort. The majority could care less.
    Minister please legislate it as mandatory, like most other places.

  4. Recycle or Not To Recycle says:

    I stopped recycling years ago because the bags would sit there for days at a time. On more than one occasion they sat in my driveway for more than a week. Somebody wasn’t doing their job. Then my neighbor reported that she saw the recyclables being thrown in with the regular garbage. So, why pay extra for blue bags that just sit in my yard for days after the collection date only to eventually be tossed in with the garbage anyway.

    Hopefully things will change but I hope they realize that even with the best intentions it will fail if the same people are responsible for the collection.

    • Marie says:

      All so true. No pick ups leads to not bothering! Wait! Isn’t this part of collection PRIVATIZED???? Then it should be working right?

  5. Onion says:

    What is the environmental footprint of these campaigns and the overheads (staff, trucks, etc) of recycling vs. the environmental benefit of recycling itself?

  6. WhatHeSaid says:

    How about the resaurants and bars on the island be forced to recycle all of their bottles…. bring back the 5 cent return policy on bottles?? What about true recycling and do paper and plastic products as well?