Super recyclers win cash prizes

An Exeter resident has won £200 in a prize draw aimed at encouraging people to recycle more.

Marie Pistorius won the cash after she took her earthenware slow cooker to Pinbrook Road Recycling Centre’s shop for reuse.

The draw was one of four held in April and May aimed at inspiring more people to recycle Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment (WEEE).
Just 30 per cent of all unwanted ‘small’ electrical items in the UK are recycled.

The prizes were sponsored by the Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Industry’s Distributor Takeback Scheme.

Funding was awarded to a partnership of Devon County Council, Torbay Council, North Devon Council and waste management companies SITA UK Ltd, Devon Waste Management, Tor2 and REPIC Ltd following a successful application.

She said: “I’m a regular visitor to Pinbrook, especially the shop, and I find that the site staff are always friendly and helpful.

“I intend to spend the £200 on a weekend for my husband me in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall without the kids and the dog!”

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon Country Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment said: “Every year up to 70 per cent of all small electrical items are thrown into domestic waste.

“By keeping WEEE separate from other waste it can be treated, the hazardous substances can be removed and a large amount of waste can be recycled rather than sent for disposal.”

Councillor Olwen Foggin, the county councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton who presented the cheque to Marie,  said: “It’s great to see conscientious residents like Marie do their bit to recycle unwanted electrical goods.

“If everyone made a small effort and disposed of these items at recycling centres, we would see a big impact on recycling rates in Devon.”

The final £200 award went to Hazel Gow of Okehampton.

She was presented with her cheque by the local county councillor for Okehampton Rural Kevin Ball at Okehampton Recycling Centre.

For more information visit www.recycledevon.org