Islington council has been working hard to encourage local people to waste less and recycle more. Most people in Islington recycle and that’s something to celebrate.

To help encourage more people to recycle and recycle right (knowing what goes in which bin) Islington council has teamed up with local artist Freddie Yauner to shine a light on just some of the people doing their bit and recycling.

Freddie set out to find some of the great people in Islington who regularly recycle and turned their portraits into pieces of art on their own recycling.

These artworks are now on display as posters across the borough, as a way to highlight the positive impact that people are making when it comes to recycling. We want this to be a talking point, to spark interest, and to celebrate the fact that most people in Islington recycle!

Who’s face is that?  

There are 9 posters displayed around the borough. Here you can find out a bit more about the people involved!

Thomasina  

Thomasina Miers OBE is a cook, writer and campaigner. She won Masterchef in 2005, and in 2007 opened the first branch of Mexican street food restaurant Wahaca, a group of 14 restaurants that continues to win awards for its food and sustainability.  It was the UK’s first carbon-neutral restaurant group and has recycled its food waste since it opened its doors.  Half its menu is vegetarian.  In 2017 she was awarded an OBE, and in the same year, co-founded Chefs in Schools, a charity supporting schools to improve their food and food culture. She is passionate about good food and how it can positively affect people and planet.

Ray

Ray Rich is an islington resident, part time artist, and keen recycler. Ray has lived in the borough for over 35 years, and takes pride in doing his bit for the environment. He was excited to be part of this project in part due to his interest in sustainability, but also due to his love of art; he and Freddie (the artist) bonded over their shared love of William Morris.

Hana 

Hana is in Year 3 at Pakeman Primary School. She’s a cheerful and curious child who enjoys learning and being creative. She particularly enjoys drawing and doing arts and crafts, and spending time with her family and friends.

In her spare time, Hana likes helping with recycling and learning about ways to look after the environment.

She’s really happy to be part of this project and likes the idea of helping keep Islington green.

Hussein  

Hussein Osman is the founder of Running with the Brothers, a community running club for young men and boys that has grown from a small group of friends running around stadiums into a network of thousands. The group meets weekly across London, primarily at Wembley Stadium, and has also run events at Emirates Stadium and the Olympic Stadium, including a summer campaign in Islington.

He is passionate about sport and enjoys football, running, padel and basketball, and believes in the freedom and wellbeing that sport brings to people’s lives.

Hussein works in energy with a focus on creating a more sustainable, net zero future. He is committed to environmental responsibility and encourages others to adopt simple sustainable habits so that collectively we do more good than harm in the world.

Natasha

Lilyella

Zak

Zak is a dedicated youth worker and community leader with 15 years of experience supporting disadvantaged young people in Islington. Starting his journey as a certified football coach at just 16, he has consistently used football as a powerful tool to engage young people, guide them away from serious youth violence and substance misuse, and help them access employment, education and training opportunities. Zak is widely recognised as a reliable source of support and strength for young people in Islington.

Recycling has also been one of Zak’s long standing passions an influence he proudly attributes to his mother, who taught him from childhood to sort waste properly and ensure all recyclables were placed in the correct bins. This early lesson in responsibility and care for the environment continues to shape his values today.

Cynthia

Cynthia moved from Bolton to London 26 years ago with her two children and has worked as a registrar and celebrant for nearly 29 years. Her television work began in 2010 with the show The Wedding House, during which she married 46 couples in just 25 days, many through themed ceremonies. She went on to spend six years involved with MAFS UK as a registrar, presenter and consultant, and is now also part of Love is Blind UK.

Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys exercising, taking long walks with her husband, and listening to music. A proud northerner, she still loves watching Coronation Street and Emmerdale. She is also a grandmother to five, and always cherishes time spent with them.

Recycling has long been a passion of Cynthia’s. She finds it frustrating when it isn’t done properly and believes that everyone should take responsibility for their environmental impact. For her, recycling is both meaningful and therapeutic — and her enthusiasm has even brought her husband fully on board.

Do you know what goes in which bin? Do you want to find out more about what happens to your waste after it has been recycled?

Our recycling web pages have a whole range of information including what you can and can’t recycle, how to order food waste caddies or liners, how to recycle electrical items and much more.

Want to stay up to date with the latest news as well as tips and advice around recycling, then sign up to our recycling email bulletin.

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