DS Smith tackles World Cup waste with recycling top tips #It’sComingHome

Peter Clayson, General Manager for Business Development and External Affairs at DS Smith, gives his top tips to tackling World Cup waste and explains how by following on-pack instructions, and using existing collection systems, we can get packaging items “home” to be reprocessed into new products.

England vs Columbia

24 Million

viewers tuned in to watch England’s heart-stopping penalty shoot-out against Columbia – the highest broadcast peak since the London 2012 Olympic Games.

According to the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB), more than 24 million viewers tuned in to watch England’s heart-stopping penalty shoot-out against Columbia last week (3rd July) – the highest broadcast peak since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Less than a week later (7th July), 20 million fans swapped the sunshine for their sofa for England’s quarter final victory over Sweden.

Whether at home or at the pub, you more than likely had a few drinks, ordered a takeaway, enjoyed a celebratory BBQ, or simply sat down with your favourite snacks. Retail figures support this, with Sainsbury’s more than doubling beer sales, Tesco announcing a 25% increase in BBQ food volumes, and Greene King reporting a considerable rise in footfall at pubs across the UK.

However, while the World Cup is seemingly working wonders for the FMCG industry, our resulting waste is no reason to celebrate. According to World Bank data, the typical Brit generates 1.79kg waste every day – a figure exacerbated by our increased convenience spending throughout the World Cup.

Local authorities have been gearing up for months to tackle this huge uplift in both general waste and recycling. With England’s semi-final showdown scheduled for Wednesday 11 July, and more viewers than ever predicted to tune in, taking the time to use the right bin for the right rubbish will really make a difference.

Our advice is simple – follow the on-pack instructions and your local recycling guidelines to prevent valuable resources from ending up in general waste. We don’t want to squander any chances.

1. Don’t panic about packaging

From boxes and bottles to food tins, drinks cans, jars, pots, tubs, and trays, most packaging items can easily be recycled. Make sure it’s clean, and take the time to put it in the right bin.

 2. Don’t forget about food

Where available, always use your food waste caddy for unwanted leftovers. Through a process similar to composting, your local council can turn food waste into renewable energy – everything from stale crisps to cold curry.

 3. Night out on the town? Not to worry!

Celebrating in style doesn’t have to result in more waste. When you’ve finished getting ready, remember that shampoo bottles, deodorant, and hairspray cans are all recyclable. Check your local recycling guidelines to see which bin is best.

 4. Sick of the same old shirt?

Bought a new kit for the World Cup? Why not donate your old one to a local charity? Alternatively, many local councils offer kerbside textile recycling collections or, at the very least, provide clothes banks at local community areas.

So, wherever you are for the last few matches of this year’s World Cup, make sure you recycle wherever possible. Just remember, if you recycle, you can prevent waste, and send the packaging home to be made into new packaging!  #itscominghome.

I would like to receive communications news and updates on DS Smith Plc products and services.

Using the following contact preference(s):

For more information on how DS Smith manages, uses and protects your information please click here. You can always withdraw your consent to this email marketing by using the opt-out mechanism at the bottom of our email marketing messages.