Blackpool’s promenade is set to become more environmentally friendly!
The initiative is part of #InTheLoop, a collaborative project between environmental charity Hubbub, and the Natural Source Waters Association to increase out-of-home recycling opportunities across all the UK.
Blackpool and Tottenham were selected as the two newest locations for the project after winning The Loop grant fund launched by Hubbub and the NSWA in January.
The official launch of the initiative was on the 18th of July on Blackpool’s iconic promenade, these bins will allow the hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists who flock to the resort each year to easily recycle drink containers and other recyclable waste when visiting the beach or attending major events like the Air Show.
At the launch, BBC Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer and former winner, Jowita Przystal and Leader of Blackpool Council, Cllr Lynn Williams MBE unveiled the first of 20 recycling bins, dedicated to collecting plastic bottles and drinks cans for recycling.
Finding recycling bins for drinks containers while out and about can be difficult in the UK. With the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) delayed until October 2027 the #InTheLoop campaign aims to help alleviate the issue and boost efforts to secure as many plastic drinks bottles and cans for recycling as possible.
Blackpool’s new bins have clear signage to guide people on what can be collected for recycling. They are positioned along the promenade alongside the general waste bins that are already in situ, to make recycling plastic bottles and cans when visiting the seafront as easy as possible.
See the locations of the bins now:
Jowita Przystał, Dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing winner, said:
“Dancing in Blackpool is always so special to me and many of my fellow dancers. It is great to see the seaside resort taking positive steps towards becoming more sustainable. I am thrilled to be invited to reveal the first of 20 new bins in the area. The colourful In The Loop designs fit so well with this playful destination, while also communicating the important message of recycling on-the-go. I’ll certainly be using them on my way to and from rehearsals and performances on the dance floor!”
Cllr Lynn Williams MBE, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the awareness of ‘On the Go Recycling’ to everyone visiting our promenade and beach. The high profile Promenade location will give plenty of scope to recycle responsibly and reduce the level of plastic cans and bottles being littered on the beach entering the seas and oceans, and their devastating impact on the environment.”
Cllr Adrian Hoyle, Chair of Enveco Board said:
“Blackpool provides litter bins at all access steps to the beach during the bathing season (May to September), between the North Pier and South Pier. The award of the grant is a great opportunity to increase the recycling of materials that would normally be disposed of as general waste without segregation. The grand awarded to Enveco will allow 20 specific recycling bins, to maximise the recycling potential for thousands of daily promenade and beach users whilst reducing the general waste arising from traditional waste/litter bins.”