Recycle old phone books

Don’t trash it, recycle it! That’s the message from Rochdale Council as residents get rid of their old phone books.

Old phone books can be put in the blue polythene recycling bag for mixed paper and cardboard, and presented for collection during the week when recyclable waste is taken.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “If everyone puts their old ‘phone books in the blue recycling bag, it will prevent hundreds of tonnes of paper going to landfill and instead be used again and again.

“Doing this requires minimal effort, but the difference it makes to the environment is huge.”

Every household should have a blue recycling bag to allow residents to dispose of their mixed paper and cardboard. Items such as junk mail, greetings cards, catalogues, newspapers, shredded paper, envelopes, flattened cardboard and ‘washed and squashed’ food and drink cartons can all be placed inside the blue bag.