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Westminster Council

Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

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  • News Post

Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

It’s Recycle Week 2025 (22–28 Sept) and this year’s theme “Rescue Me! Recycle” is all about giving overlooked items, from yoghurt pots to aerosols, a second life.

Here in Westminster, you can take part in a fun and impactful way: by using the Reverse Vending Machine at Paddington Recreation Ground. Simply drop in your empty plastic bottles or aluminium cans and not only are they recycled properly, but 10p per item is donated to North Paddington Youth Club.

Every container counts toward protecting the planet, reducing waste, and giving back to the community. Join us this Recycle Week and turn your empties into positive action.

Recycle your bottles and cans — and turn everyday empties into community impact!

Drop. Donate. Do Good.

Every bottle or can diverted from general waste helps in:

  • Reducing energy and emissions, because recycling requires less raw material and less processing
  • Preventing pollution and landfill pressure, especially in dense urban areas
  • Supporting local causes, in Westminster, the Reverse Vending Machine dona­tes 10p per container to North Paddington Youth Club. 

That’s community impact made from individual actions.

Your Recycling in Action

Here’s a little reminder of what you need to do to turn your recycling into rewards:
  • Drop in empty plastic bottles or aluminium drink cans
  • The machine captures them cleanly
  • For every item deposited, 10p is donated to North Paddington Youth Club
  • To date, over 188 items (159 bottles, 29 cans) have been deposited – a great start to raising funds and awareness.
Turn Trash to Treasure

Make Fitness a Lifestyle This National Fitness Day in Westminster

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Make Fitness A Lifestyle This National Fitness Day With ActiveWestminster

National Fitness Day is here, and ActiveWestminster is inviting everyone to celebrate by making fitness a part of everyday life. This day isn’t just about a single workout, it’s about embracing a lifestyle that prioritises health, well-being, and community.

In line with the ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024–2028, which aims to make physical activity more accessible for everyone, we offer a range of free activities across the city. From outdoor fitness classes and family-friendly Play Streets to guided walks and wellness sessions, there’s something for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Powered by ActiveWestminster: Helping you move, play, and stay active every day.

National Fitness Day is a reminder that fitness isn’t just for one day, it’s a lifestyle choice, and we’re committed to helping residents integrate movement into their daily routines, fostering a healthier and happier Westminster.

These activities align with the goals of our strategy to:

  • Help more people be active every day
  • Make it easier to get involved in sports and activities
  • Ensure all communities can access safe, welcoming places to be active
  • Work with partners to support healthy, active lifestyles across Westminster 

 

Whether you’re looking to try something new, reconnect with your community, or simply enjoy some fresh air, ActiveWestminster has an activity for you.

Breathe Easy As You Explore Our Wonderful City

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Breathe Easy As You Explore Our Wonderful City

We’re excited to share the launch of  Clean Air Routes London – a new interactive map designed to help you find the cleanest way to get around our city.

Whether you’re walking or cycling, simply enter your starting point and destination to discover the healthiest route using forecasted air quality data from across London.

Scan the QR code or click on the flyer above to find how you breathe better, wander smarter 

and explore London’s cleanest routes!

By choosing a cleaner route, you can avoid polluted roads, protect your health, and enjoy safer, more enjoyable journeys through Westminster and beyond.

This initiative is a partnership between Westminster City Council, Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants (CERC), and the Department for Food and International Affairs (DEFRA), working together to support residents, visitors and commuters in making healthier travel choices.

Get full details for the initiative: Westminster Council launches Clean Air Routes London to reduce public exposure to air pollution

Discover Cleaner Paths

Village Green And Cricket Net Rejuvenation Works Begin This September

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Village Green And Cricket Net Rejuvenation Works Begin This September

We’re excited to share that the Village Green at Paddington Recreation Ground is set for rejuvenation works to create a refreshed and welcoming space for the community. 

Over time, the surface of the green has become worn, uneven and compacted through regular use and changing weather conditions. Potholes, cracking and thinning grass have reduced both the quality and safety of the space. As a much-loved area for play, leisure and relaxation, the Village Green deserves care and investment. These rejuvenation works will restore the lawn, improve drainage, and create a healthier, greener and more resilient space that the whole community can enjoy for years to come

Works will officially commence as of next Monday 22nd September and be completed by Monday 1st December. 

*Please note dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions*

Village Green Planned Works

  • Week 1: The green will be carefully koroed, removing the old sward, small stones and some soil. Levels and contours will be re-established, while existing potholes and cracks will be repaired. 
  • Week 2: Soil and sand will be spread, seed beds prepared, and a new seed mix sown to rejuvenate the lawn.

Once seeded, the Village Green will remain fenced off to allow the grass to grow and establish. If weather conditions are favourable, we anticipate reopening the green in early December.

Cricket Nets Upgrade

In addition, works will commence on the cricket practice nets from 29 September to 27 October. These improvements will introduce a new playing surface, new nets and new sight screens. The playing surface will be constructed to ECB guidelines, ensuring a high-quality facility for training and development.

We will endeavour to complete these works as quickly and efficiently as possible, keeping disruption to a minimum throughout the process and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding in advance.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to a revitalised facilities later this year.

Recruit & Retain Volunteers Workshop – Don’t Miss Out!

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Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers Workshop – Don’t Miss Out!

Want to attract great volunteers and keep them engaged? Join us for a fully-funded, 3-hour workshop with One Westminster, tailored for organisations in the sport & physical activity sector.

You’ll get practical tools & strategies covering:

  • Recruitment methods & policies
  • Onboarding & supervision
  • Volunteer development
  • Retention techniques

 

Apply Now

Not yet sure about a career in Sport, Leisure and Physical Activity?

Then download and read our quick guide giving you 5 tips on how to develop a career in the industry.

Download Guide

Protect The Planet One Bottle Or Can At A Time – Try Our Reverse Vending Machine

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Protect The Planet One Bottle Or Can At A Time – Try Our Reverse Vending Machine

16 September is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, a global reminder of how important it is to protect our environment and safeguard the future of our planet. This year’s theme highlights that when communities come together, positive change is possible.

Right here in Westminster, you can play your part with something as simple as recycling your drink containers. Our Reverse Vending Machine makes it quick and rewarding to do just that.

What is a Reverse Vending Machine?

The machine accepts empty plastic bottles and cans, giving you an easy way to recycle on the go. Instead of ending up in landfill, your containers are captured cleanly and sent for recycling, keeping valuable materials in use and cutting down on waste.

How it works

Users can deposit single-use plastic bottles and aluminium drinks cans into the machine, and for every item deposited, 10p will be donated to the North Paddington Youth Club with 188 items (159 bottles and 29 cans) already deposited, making a helpful start to raise funds.
 
So, come along to Paddington Recreation Ground and check it out.
 

Visit the Reverse Vending Machine at the Pavilion in Paddington Recreation Ground – take a simple step that helps cut waste, protect our environment and show how local action supports global change.

Why does it matter for the ozone layer?

While the machine doesn’t directly capture ozone-depleting substances, it contributes to the bigger picture:

  • Less waste, less energy – Recycling reduces the need to produce new plastics and cans from scratch, lowering emissions and energy use.
  • Cleaner air – Cutting down on landfill and incineration means fewer harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere.
  • Community action – By choosing to recycle, you’re part of a global movement protecting both our climate and the ozone layer that shields life on Earth.

Small steps, big impact

Protecting the ozone layer has been a worldwide success story since the Montreal Protocol – but it’s not a job finished. By building sustainable habits like using the Reverse Vending Machine, we keep that progress moving forward.

  • Small actions add up.
  • Drop in your bottles and cans.
  • Be part of the change.

Recycle today, protect tomorrow – try the Reverse Vending Machine.