Recyclenow - Packaging Waste

Around 400 million tonnes of waste is produced in England and Wales each year and well over 100 million tonnes of this stems from the Industrial, commercial and household waste streams alone. The principle problem with waste is not the amount that is being produced, rather it is the way we manage and dispose of this waste that causes problems. Of the hundred and six tonnes of municipal waste produced each year, the majority (around two thirds) currently goes to landfill sites for disposal. This is an incredible and unnecessary waste of resources, not only because landfill space is scarce but also because up to 60% of the municipal waste stream could currently be recycled.

There are several key issues with sending waste to landfill. As mentioned previously, landfill space in England and Wales is becomingly increasingly scarce and tough new European legislation is ensuring it becomes more expensive as well. Sending waste to landfill is often not the best practicable environmental option either; hazardous wastes can contaminate ground water sources and many wastes will not degrade over time. Neither does sending unnecessary waste to landfill make good economic sense; recyclable waste is a valuable resource and once it is locked in the ground it cannot be retrieved. The preservation of our environment and the sustainable management of our natural resources requires a significant reappraisal of the way we currently manage our waste and we all have a part to play.

Recycle Now is a section of the Budget Pack website dedicated to raising recycling awareness and promoting responsible waste management. As you will see, much, much more could be done to reduce and recycle the waste we produce and small changes can make a big difference. For information and practical advice on reducing, reusing and recycling business or household waste, click on the associated links to the left. In each section you will guidance and useful tips on how you can reduce the amount of rubbish you produce and how you can reuse and recycle more of that which you do. You might be surprised by just how much of what you throw away could easily be reprocessed, so get looking and start to RECYCLE NOW!