Residents across the Derry and Strabane area are being encouraged to take a fresh look at their recycling habits during Recycle Week 2026, which kicks off on Monday.

Running from September 14 - 20, this year's campaign led by Recycle Now, is highlighting how every item recycled correctly makes a real difference by helping reduce waste sent to landfill, conserving valuable resources and saving energy.

Council is encouraging households to make simple changes that can have a significant environmental impact, with recent waste composition analysis revealing that more than 50% of the material currently disposed of in black bins could instead be recycled through blue or brown bin collections.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, joined members of Council’s Environment team for the launch, and said Recycle Week provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to play their part in protecting the environment.

"Recycle Week is a chance for all of us to think about the small changes we can make in our daily lives that collectively have a big impact on our environment,” she stressed.

"Residents across our Council area already do a tremendous job recycling and reducing waste, but there is always more we can do. I would encourage everyone to take a few moments to look at what goes into their black bin and consider whether those items could be recycled instead.

"As we work towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable district, every household has a role to play. By recycling correctly and reducing waste wherever possible, we can help protect our natural environment for future generations."

Council's Waste and Recycling Officer, Julie Hannaway, said many recyclable materials continue to be lost unnecessarily through incorrect disposal. "Studies show that over half of what is currently being placed in black bins could actually be recycled through our existing kerbside collections. That represents a huge opportunity for residents to make a positive difference.

"Items such as glass bottles and jars, plastic shampoo bottles, aerosol cans, cardboard packaging and food waste can all be recycled through Council services, yet many still end up in the wrong bin. By making sure the right materials go into the correct bins residents can help keep valuable resources in circulation, reduce carbon emissions and save energy.

"Food waste is another area where we can all make improvements. Around 35% of waste found in black bins could be placed in the brown bin and transformed into compost rather than being lost as waste. Recycle Week is the perfect opportunity to revisit what we are throwing away and ensure we are making the most of the recycling services available."

The council said that recycling just one aerosol deodorant can save enough energy to charge a mobile phone more than 40 times and all food and garden waste collected in the brown bin is recycled into rich compost used in our parks, open spaces and schools.

Throughout Recycle Week, Council will be sharing advice, tips and information across its digital channels to help residents recycle with confidence and get the most from their household recycling collections.

For more information on recycling services across Derry and Strabane, go to www.derrystrabane.com/recycling or learn more about Recycle Week at www.recyclenow.com/recycle-week-2026