June 2025 news

Last year, 45% of our survey respondents said they wanted to know more about packaging symbols and recycling logos. That’s why we created 2 short animations to explain exactly that - and they’ve already been viewed over 3,000 times!

This is just one example of how valuable last summer’s recycling survey was in helping us talk to residents about recycling and waste prevention, which is why we’re running it again!

As part of our ongoing mission to reduce waste and increase recycling, we’re re-launching our short survey to better understand local knowledge around recycling and waste prevention in West Sussex.

Whether or not you’ve taken part in one of our previous surveys, we’d love to hear from you. The survey is open until midnight Monday 30 June 2025.

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our Waste Prevention Advisor volunteers.

Two of our dedicated volunteers were recognised at the ‘Mid Sussex Applauds’ awards on Sunday 11 May 2025. Pauline Mallinson was nominated, shortlisted and went on to win Volunteer of the Year, while Colin McFarlin was also nominated and shortlisted, receiving a Highly Commended award in the Environment and Climate Change Champion category.

Pauline and Colin are shining examples of the incredible team of West Sussex Waste Prevention Advisor volunteers, who collectively donated over 1,600 hours of their time last year. These volunteers help educate residents about waste prevention, recycling and how materials are processed in West Sussex.

They generously offer their time to visit schools, speak at local community groups and host information stands. Passionate about recycling, they share helpful advice and are a fantastic source of knowledge.

Our volunteers have also played a key role in running 7 monthly Community Food Hubs across the county, redistributing surplus food, welcoming users and sharing practical tips and recipes to reduce food waste at home.

As we mark Volunteers’ Week, we once again extend a big thank you to all of our Waste Prevention Advisor volunteers, and a special congratulations to Colin and Pauline!

If you want to see our volunteers in action, attend a local event and say hello! Find upcoming events on the WSRecycles website.

Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for the dads in our lives. This year, try to make it extra special by celebrating sustainably and minimising waste!

Here are a few tips to help you celebrate whilst reducing your waste:

• Thoughtful gifting: choose meaningful, eco-friendly gifts such as a reusable coffee cup! Opt for experiences over material gifts, such as a day out hiking, a special homemade meal, or a class of some kind.
• Low waste wrapping: ditch traditional wrapping paper for more sustainable options. Use reusable gift bags, fabric wraps, or even old newspapers.
• Homemade goodies: instead of store-bought treats, bake your dad's favourite cookies or cook his favourite meal. Homemade gifts are often more appreciated and reduce packaging waste.
• Recycle all you can: remember to recycle cards, wrapping paper (that scrunches), chocolate boxes and glass bottles in your recycling bin at home.

Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating!

If you have a garden big enough for one, why not get a compost bin?

By keeping a container in the kitchen to collect your fruit and veg peelings for compost, could reduce your waste by up to 10%.

Much of your kitchen waste can be recycled in this way, reducing your waste and saving you money by making compost that can be used on your garden. It’s a free and easy way to help the environment and give your garden a natural boost.

We have teamed up with Get Composting to help you buy a composter at a reduced price - a 220 litre compost bin for £22 or a 330 litre compost bin for £29.

Did you know we have a waste and climate education contract that is free for schools to use? The programme, which is run by Wastebuster, provides educational resources and assemblies to West Sussex schools, focusing on recycling and waste prevention.

Schools can also raise money by hosting collection points for certain materials including batteries, textiles and toys. Additionally, Wastebuster offers a free online Climate Action Planning Tool.

This tool supports schools across the county in creating and implementing an impactful Climate Action Plan by providing a tailored framework on waste, water, transport and energy that can easily be integrated into the school’s Climate Action Plan.

If you are a parent or carer and think this would be a great opportunity for your children to learn more about waste prevention and the climate, share this information with your school.

Teachers - you can find all the information you need about how this exciting programme can help you in the classroom.

Take a look at Wastebuster website to see what resources they offer to West Sussex schools.

Throughout West Sussex, we are proud to work alongside a team of passionate recycling and waste prevention volunteers. They attend public and private events to promote waste prevention, reuse and recycling and are eager to answer questions about the county's recycling services and waste reduction initiatives.

In addition to the public events listed below, we are participating in numerous privately hosted talks and events for local community groups, schools and other organisations. If you would like our team to give a talk, visit your school, attend an event, or if you would like more information, contact us at waste.prevention@westsussex.gov.uk.

We also support our partners at the district and borough councils with community outreach in selected areas, engaging residents on both recycling and waste prevention topics.

June and July 2025 events

• Saturday 7 June (10am to 12 noon) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Adur Repair Café, The Circular Space, Ham Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6PA
• Sunday 8 June (10.30am to 3.30pm) - Lancing Green Dreams, Waste Prevention Information Stand, Clothes Swap and Make Do and Mend, Lancing Beach Green
• Friday 13 June (2pm to 4pm) - Clothes Swap and Information Stand at UKHarvest Community Food Hub, The Chapel, Graylingwell Drive, Park, Chichester, PO19 6BZ
• Saturday 21 June (10am to 6pm) - Chilli and Cheese Festival, Waste Prevention Information Stand, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP
• Sunday 22 June (10am to 5pm) - Chilli and Cheese Festival, Waste Prevention Information Stand, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP
• Sunday 22 June (11am to 3pm) - Burgess Hill Summer Fayre, Waste Prevention Information Stand, St John's Park, Burgess Hill, RH15 9AA
• Friday 27 June (10am to 12 noon) - Clothes Swap and Information Stand at Haywards Heath Community Food Hub Multi Agency Support Event, Ascension Church, Haywards Heath at Food Hub, RH16 4JS
• Saturday 28 June (1.30pm to 4.30pm) - Durrington Festival, Waste Prevention Information Stand, Pond Lane Recreation Ground, BN13 2RH
• Tuesday 1 July (from 10.30am) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Shipley Community Hub, Andrew Hall, RH13 8PH
• Saturday 5 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Cowfest, Cowfold Village Green, 48 Acorn Avenue, Cowfold, RH13 8RT
• Saturday 5 July (2pm to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Aldwick Green, PO21 3SR
• Sunday 6 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Horsham Rotary Fun Day, Horsham Park, Horsham, RH12 2DW
• Saturday 12 July (10am to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Rustington Summer Arts Event, Rustington Methodist Church, Claigmor Road, Rustington, BN16 2NL
• Saturday 12 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Balcombe Fete, Stockcroft Road, Balcombe, RH17 6HP
• Sunday 13 July - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Warnham Village Day, Hollands Way, Warnham, Horsham RH12 3RH
• Saturday 19 July (10am to 12 noon) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Lancing Repair Café, 11 Station Parade, Lancing, BN15 8AA
• Saturday 19 July (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Fire Station Open Day, Worthing Fire Station, Ardsheal Road, Broadwater, BN14 7RN
• Sunday 20 July (2pm to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Ashenground Open Afternoon, Ashenground Community Centre, Southdown Close, Haywards Heath, RH16 4JR
• Saturday 26 July (10am to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Lions Summer Festival, Worthing Seafront, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3QA
• Sunday 27 July (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Lions Summer Festival, Worthing Seafront, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3QA