COPELAND Council will celebrate National Recycle Week in style, with several events and initiatives.

The week runs from September 23 to 29 and is aimed at encouraging more people to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle.’

Copeland’s portfolio holder for waste and recycling, Councillor Steve Morgan, said: “People have been really enthusiastic about the kerbside recycling service since it began about 18 months ago. It’s been great to see it grow and we are looking to get even more people on board during this National Recycle Week. It’s a chance for us to raise awareness of why we all need to recycle and how easy it is to do through our kerbside scheme.”

The following events and initiatives will take place:

n The Candlestick at Whitehaven Harbour will be lit up green.

n The council is spreading the recycling message and inviting schools to get involved. Recycling officer Jan Boniface is available to visit the borough’s primary schools and deliver recycling workshops. Many schools have already signed up for this free service.

n Recycling staff will attend Whitehaven Market on Thursday, September 26 with Edna the Recyclephant, our friendly mascot. Meet Edna, do some recycling-related crafts and even grab a free gift. Visitors can also ask officers anything about recycling.

n The council will be at Eskdale Show on Saturday, September 28, again with Edna the Recyclephant. Come and meet Edna, decorate a bag, complete an activity and have all your recycling-related queries answered.

Council staff and members have also been invited to volunteer for a beach clean on Friday, September 20, which is part of the Great British Beach Clean weekend.

Coun Morgan added: “I hope people will come along to one of our events during the week, engage with our social media or enjoy the lighting up of the candlestick. It’s really important that we continue the good work that our community has already achieved through recycling.”