RECYCLING is not confined to drinks bottles and food cartons say council chiefs who are encouraging Dorset residents to check the bathroom.

New research suggests only 52 per cent of bathroom items go in the recycling bin in our homes.

As part of Recycle Week, Dorset Waste Partnership is raising awareness of the other items that can be recycled such as perfume and shampoo bottles, toilets rolls and toothpaste boxes.

If every household in Dorset recycled one more deodorant spray, this would save enough energy to power a typical primary school for 182 days, DWP says.

In the UK, almost 90 per cent of packaging is recycled in our kitchens, while just over half of items are recycled in the bathroom.

Research from Recycle Now found that nearly half of the population admit to not always recycling their aerosols including deodorant and hairspray from the bedroom or bathroom.

DWP is asking residents to rethink their bathroom routines by highlighting the benefits of recycling these items.

Councillor Michael Roake, vice-chairman of the Dorset Waste Partnership’s Joint Committee, said: “We’re motivating Dorset to look good and feel good this Recycle Week. From the last spritz of perfume to the final squeeze of a shampoo bottle, this Recycle Week add recycling to your bathroom regime. Recycling just a few more items from around the house can make a real difference.”

Linda Crichton, Head of the campaign Recycle Now, said: “Many of us have our daily bathroom routines in place. During Recycle Week, we are looking to shake up those routines and let people know that they can do good for the environment you live in in the process of looking good."

Recycle Now’s top bathroom recycling tips:

n Where possible empty and rinse containers before they go in the recycling bin

n Put caps and lids back on your glass containers before recycling

n Remove plastic lids and caps from air-freshener, deodorant and shaving foam aerosols where easy to do so and place separately in the recycling

For more information about your Recycle for Dorset kerbside collection scheme, including details of what can and can’t be recycled from around the house, visit www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/which-bin