Exeter campaign reveals the common household items ending up in the bin

A flag made from recycled plastic bottles is flying above County Hall in Exeter to mark the start of Recycle Week.

Exeter City Councillor Ruth Williams, who is vice chair of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee, joined Devon’s cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity Jacqi Hodgson and county council chief executive Donna Manson for the flag-raising ceremony.

The annual campaign, now in its 22nd year, aims to highlight items that are often thrown in the bin but could be recycled. This year’s focus includes shampoo bottles, foil and toothpaste tubes.

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Trigger the mascot also attended the launch alongside the Recycle Devon team, who answered residents’ questions.

Devon recorded a household recycling rate of 54.2 per cent for 2024/25; however, food waste, plastics, paper, and glass are still being found in black bins.

Toothpaste tubes are not collected at the kerbside in all parts of the county, but can be recycled at local collection points, including some Boots stores in Exeter.

Cllr Ruth Williams said: “Recycle Week continues to be a powerful moment to inspire action across the UK, and this year’s campaign is no exception.

“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. 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.”

An online Q&A session will be held on Wednesday via the Recycle Devon Facebook page.