Oxfordshire residents are being encouraged to step up their recycling efforts during Recycle Week 2025, which runs from 22 to 28 September under the theme ‘Rescue Me! Recycle’.
With a recycling and composting rate of 57.69 per cent, Oxfordshire has led the way in England for 11 consecutive years. Yet around half of the average household rubbish bin is still filled with items that could be recycled.
This year’s campaign highlights commonly overlooked recyclables such as toilet roll tubes, empty aerosols, toothpaste tubes, shampoo bottles, trigger sprays, yoghurt pots and foil. All of these items can be collected in kerbside waste collections across the county.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said:
“We know that Oxfordshire residents are already great at recycling, but there is always room for improvement. If everyone can rescue just one more recyclable item from their general waste, it will make a big difference across the county.”
To support householders, the council provides an online Waste Wizard tool. By entering their postcode and the item they wish to dispose of, residents can find out whether it should go into kerbside bins, a recycling centre, or be repaired or donated.
The county’s recycling partnership — made up of the county, city and district councils — works together to improve Oxfordshire’s recycling performance. Updates and advice are shared through the Oxfordshire Recycles channels on Facebook and X/Twitter.
Recycle Week is organised nationally by Recycle Now, part of the international climate action charity WRAP, and is now in its 22nd year. Catherine David, Chief Executive of WRAP, said:
“By highlighting everyday items like shampoo bottles, foil, and toothpaste tubes – things we often overlook – we’re helping people see the real impact of small changes. Thanks to innovation and collaboration, more of these items can now be recycled than ever before.”
She added:
“Together with local authorities and communities, we’re making it easier to do the right thing and keep valuable materials in use. Let’s rescue these items from the rubbish and give them a second life.”
