Recycling
Recycling protects limited resources, saves energy and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Kingdom dumps around thirty million tonnes of solid waste each year. This is a potential source of energy which, replacing fossil fuels, could produce heat and power for two and a half million homes, factories, schools or hospitals.
Yet ninety per cent of this waste is discarded — disposed of as landfill where it generates the greenhouse gas methane and other environmental hazards.
And much of the waste could be recycled. This would not only save energy, with less raw material having to be processed, but it would also conserve valuable resources such as the world's forests.
The problem is that recycling facilities are limited. For example, there aren't enough processing plants to handle the paper that is already being recycled. This would change if we were all to use recycled paper as much as possible, increasing demand so that more processing plants are built. We also need to lobby government and industry to support and subsidise improved recycling facilities.
You will be amazed how much waste you can prevent by recycling, reusing and reducing. Help end the age of waste, use resources wisely!
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Find out what recycling facilities there are in your area |
Local councils are responsible for the collection and disposal of refuse. This should extend to recycling. Urge your local council to collect recyclable waste separately or to set up collection points. Some councils have a recycling officer. If your local council does not have an officer then petition for one.
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Separate your waste into recyclable and non-recyclable items |
There are five basic groups of recyclable waste — newspapers and magazines, other paper, glass, aluminium and organic waste. Once you know where the collection points are, you can take your recyclable wastes there rather than throwing them out with the rest of your rubbish. Set yourself the goal of reducing the contents of your dustbin by half!
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Look for products which can be recycled |
Articles made of plastic cannot be recycled successfully in bulk as there are so many different types of plastic. Avoid buying them if possible. If the item you need is only available in plastic containers, write to the store manager or, better still, the manufacturer asking why they don't provide recycling facilities. You could suggest they convert to a type of container that can be reused.
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Encourage everyone you know to recycle and support local recycling initiatives |
The average household throws away around six trees worth of paper every year. If this was recycled and used to make more paper, it would reduce the demand for wood pulp — and save an awful lot of trees. Voluntary groups can often boost their income by holding paper and aluminium collections. If you're a member of such a group, bring it up at the next meeting.
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Check if local fast food outlets use environmentally sound, recyclable packaging |
Paper, aluminium and glass can be recycled — most plastic and foam packaging cannot. The packaging of many fast-food chains is manufactured using CFCs — potent greenhouse gases.
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Recycle or reuse as many household goods as possible |
Old cottons — sheets, pillowcases and towels, for instance — can be used as floor cloths, dusters, and so on. Charities such as Oxfam or the Salvation Army in the United Kingdom will take clothing, appliances and furniture, as will many community groups when holding jumble sales. Give worn-out electrical appliances to your local repair shop so that parts can be recycled.
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Dispose of wastes safely |
This will protect both the environment and your health. Waste motor oil will be taken by most garages — if yours doesn't then ask if they could provide this facility. It is possible to recover the CFCs in old refrigerators so that they don't pollute the atmosphere. One major freezer food chain will dispose of old fridges, as will some local councils. Ask your local council to provide information about the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
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If you have a garden, start a compost heap |
All your organic refuse can be converted to valuable compost. If you haven't a garden, a neighbour may appreciate it!
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Use recycled paper products whenever possible |
Millions of trees are cut down every year to satisfy our demand for paper. Recycled paper of all qualities is now being produced — some suppliers are listed at the end. If the demand for this rises, then recycling schemes will become more effective as waste paper fetches higher prices. Do avoid recycled paper which has been heavily bleached using chlorine as, in most cases, this releases dioxins — a carcinogen — into the environment.
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Return junk mail in prepaid envelopes |
Junk mail kills trees. So make use of those prepaid envelopes — return them to the sender without filling in your name and address but with a note objecting strongly to the waste of paper.