UK households produced 30.5 million tonnes of waste in 2003/04, of which 17% was collected for recycling. (source: defra.gov.uk) This figure is still quite low compared to some of our neighbouring EU countries, some recycling over 50% of their waste. There is still a great deal of waste which could be recycled that ends up in landfill sites which is harmful to the environment.
Recycling is a tremendous way of conserving energy and helping the environment.
Some interesting facts that may make you change your waste disposal habits
Did you know that:
- 1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours
- 1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
- 70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials.
- 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
Some Interesting Facts
- Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.
- The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
- The largest lake in the Britain could be filled with rubbish from the UK in 8 months.
- On average, 16% of the money you spend on a product pays for the packaging, which ultimately ends up as rubbish.
- As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted.
- Up to 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
- 9 out of 10 people would recycle more if it were made easier.
For more information on recycling visit: http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/facts.html. It’s a fantastic site full of useful and interesting information.
Source: www.recycling-guide.org.uk
