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  

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