the 'BIG recycle' is to be renamed 'Recycle Now Week' to be brought into line with the Recycle Now Campaign. It is being launched on 1 June 2007 - running through the following week - details www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk

The BIG recycle 2006

Celebrities from the world of football and entertainment will be helping to kick off 'the BIG recycle' this summer and encouraging households to recycle throughout the World Cup period and beyond.

ITV football presenter Gabby Logan, commentator, former England player Graeme le Saux, and actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan are all backing the major national recycling campaign.

Launching on June 5 2006, just days before the World Cup kicks off in Germany, 'the BIG recycle' will combine local recycling events across the UK with national press and marketing activity.

Gabby Logan said: "I'm thrilled to be supporting 'the BIG recycle', because my family and I are already keen recyclers. We always use our council's doorstep collection service, and try to avoid unnecessary packaging. It's easy to get into the habit, and it makes a lot of environmental sense.

"I think the World Cup is a great time to remind people to do their bit, given that we generate even more waste than usual during a major sporting tournament. I hope everyone will make recycling their goal this summer."

Jennie Price, Chief Executive of WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) said: "This campaign is a great opportunity to remind people just how easy it is to recycle. With nine out of ten homes now having door step collections, recycling has never been more convenient.

"The great strength of 'the BIG recycle' is its ability to reach people at grassroots level, thanks to the close involvement of local authorities, voluntary groups, materials organisations and retailers. We hope the campaign will inspire a huge surge of interest in recycling this summer."

'the BIG recycle' is jointly organised and funded by WRAP in partnership with British Glass, Corus, Novelis, PaperChain, the Corrugated Packaging Industry and Recoup.

For regular news and campaign updates, supporters can register their details at www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk

'the BIG recycle' in 2005

In 2005, 'the BIG recycle' was supported by major materials organisations, several national retailers and hundreds of local authorities, generating a surge of interest in recycling across the country.

'the BIG recycle' in 2004 

‘the BIG recycle’ in 2004 was a BIG success, reaching over 30 million people with local - how, what and where recycling messages.

A total of 247 local authority contacts registered their support for the campaign. Local Authorities were encouraged via email, the e-zine and trade press articles to visit a dedicated website where a suite of promotional campaign materials and a press release were available for download and use.  A total of 733 local authority contacts registered to download campaign resources and 178 downloaded the press release.