Discover what happens behind the scenes to your waste and recycling

Groups can visit our new Eco Town at Farington Waste Recovery Park, where you can see for yourself how tonnes of metals, plastics and glass are prepared for recycling using technology. Visitors can find out how fridges are recycled and why batteries can be dangerous if they are thrown away with your household waste. You could also go shopping at one of our reuse shops, where sustainable purchasing helps to reduce waste.

That's what Cllr Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities has been finding out as he has been touring around key locations for waste and recycling across Lancashire ahead of National Recycle Week. The Week, which begins on September 22, encourages members of the public to recycle more.

Cllr Joshua Roberts started with a fascinating tour of Eco Town, the new interactive Education Walkway experience which opened earlier this year. The immersive learning journey is similar to a science discovery centre and viewing windows into the waste plant showcase what happens to our waste. Knowledgeable hosts and interactive displays help to show how we can all contribute to a greener future by avoiding waste and recycling more. Groups in Lancashire can sign up to free tours from now at Eco Town.

He said: "This was a really fascinating insight into the essential work being done by our hardworking teams behind the scenes.

"School groups, community groups, Scouts and Guiding groups have all booked on so far to find out more about what really happens to their recycling, helping us to dispel myths and show people how to do their bit to keep Lancashire green and clean."

Councillor Joshua Roberts also visited Preston Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), which accepts all sorts of items including batteries, vapes, furniture, cooking oil, ovens, TVs, clothes, fridges, freezers, shoes, scrap metal and tyres.

He said: "The HWRCs receive a huge range of items and recycle as much as possible. A top tip is to separate the different types of waste before you take it to the HWRC to make your visit quicker and recycle as much as possible.

"They all have big containers for you to drop off used batteries and empty vapes as well. Did you know that every year, batteries and vapes that end up in household bins cause hundreds of fires nationally in bin lorries and at our waste centres?"

He also enjoyed a stroll around the reuse shop at Preston HWRC. The three reuse shops, which also include Burnley and Garstang, offer pre-loved household items at affordable prices , including toys, teddies, children's clothes, books, homewares, DVDs and games.

They also sell sports equipment, furniture (with fire labels if required), DIY tools, garden supplies, prams, pushchairs, cots, and mobility equipment. Stock changes all the time and you never know what you will find.

Cllr Joshua Roberts said: "I was impressed to see the massive range of items that were for sale at very reasonable prices at the reuse shop. I would come here to look for homewares, furniture and garden supplies and I found a few bargains today that I couldn’t resist buying! It's a great way to shop sustainably. I will definitely pop in for a quick look round, next time I am dropping off items for recycling."

He also found out more about the work of the Reuse Hub, a project which takes reusable furniture and household items and through collaboration with other LCC services and charities gives them to families and individuals in the area who need them.

The project takes items from the recycling centres including items such as bedding, children's clothes, pots and pans, crockery, furniture and rugs. The waste team works with other council services including adult social care and the Child and Youth Justice Service to provide this innovative and award-winning service.

Cllr Roberts continued: "This fantastic scheme puts unwanted good quality items straight into the hands of people that need them the most. The scheme helps to support people by providing them with home essentials that are much needed, for individuals and families.

"These include items which will really benefit wellbeing in many ways such as rugs, unique wooden furniture, and I saw a very stylish velvet chair. Children will be thrilled to be given bikes, toys, teddies or books. We even saw a little wooden play kitchen on our visit."