Recycle to save the environment.
What a waste
Have you ever thought about how much rubbish you and your family throw away every week? Have you ever thought about doing something about it?
It has been estimated that over 25 million tonnes of waste is collected from households in the UK (2000/01 figures). This means that each person in the UK produces around half a tonne of waste annually.
Of this estimated 25 million tonnes of household waste, only about 12% is currently recycled or composted with 86% going to landfill or for incineration. In theory, well over 60% of that which ends up in our dustbins at home could be recycled.
Did you know that...
- The UK (as a whole) produces more than 434 million tonnes of waste every year. This rate of rubbish generation would fill the Albert Hall in London in less than two hours.
- Every year UK households throw away the equivalent of 3½ million double-decker buses, a queue of which would stretch from London to Sydney (Australia) and back.
- On average, each person in the UK throws away seven times their body weight (about 500kg) in rubbish every year.
Become a recycler
To start, you need to know what can be recycled and where it can be recycled. Your local council may collect some materials, such as paper, glass and tin - and you may need to take others to a recycling facility (eg. a bottle bank).
To find out more, ask your local authority or use a locator.
Wash 'em
Wash bottles and jars before recycling them and wash and squash metal cans.
Sort 'em
Put the right materials in the right recycling bin or recycling bank. Remember, check before you chuck
And remember... recycling not only helps save the environment, it can save you money too.
For more information visit Recycle More, Waste Online or Recycle Now
Out and about with the recycling police
Features
It's 8.30 on a sweltering Monday morning and Candice Luper has been walking the streets of Barnet, north London, since 6am. Two or three times a week Luper goes out with the local council's recycling crew, clipboard in hand, and monitors what's going on. She keeps a detailed log of any action she's had to take (DK means she's door-knocked a resident, CC that she's left a calling card), she checks what people are putting in their black boxes (you would be surprised), and she also keeps an eye on the recycling crew, making sure the service is up to scratch.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: July 05, 2006
Recycled paper could fight plant disease
News
Using recycled paper to boost organic waste composts.
Source: scenta
Date Published: September 26, 2006
Recycled bumpers
News
Japanese motor company Mazda has developed a process that it claims can enable any used-car bumpers to be recycled into raw plastic resin for reuse in new vehicles.
Source: The Engineer
Date Published: March 30, 2009
Game on for recycled chairs
News
Aiming to put a dent in the millions of tons of plastic waste dumped every year, a small UK company has developed a stackable chair made from video game consoles.
Source: The Engineer
Date Published: November 13, 2008
New and recycled pledges
Features
Just before Gordon Brown gave his first green speech as PM yesterday, it was rumoured strongly that he was going to answer his critics and commit Britain to an ambitious 40-45% renewable electricity target by 2050. It would have been like Britain planning a moon shot. In the event, Brown aimed far lower, scored a few small hits, but reinforced the idea that Britain really must now head towards a low carbon economy.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: November 20, 2007
