The main reason being confusion over what can and can’t be recycled. Millennials are often branded as the eco-warriors who are trying to turn the tide on waste flowing into the natural world, but contrary to this, they are less likely to recycle than older generations say the BSA. In addition to the Widely Recycled on-pack labels, you can find a Check Locally symbol for packaging that is collected by 20-75% of local authorities so you’ll have to dig a bit deeper to find out if it’s included in kerbside collections. Two more helpful parts you can play before your recycling goes off to be processed is keeping lids on so they don’t get stuck in machinery and flatting items like plastic bottles that will make transporting it more efficient with less air. Save on water by giving empty containers a rinse in your used washing up water then leave them to dry. Examples include plastic bottles and cardboard.ĭo your bit by rinsing items with this symbol and avoid contaminating other materials that could attract vermin in recycling centres. Look out for this label as it signifies that 75% or more of local authorities will collect this packaging.
These labels will also tell you if an item is not collected but instead, you can take to your local recycling centre.īear in mind if an item of packaging doesn’t have a recycling label, it doesn’t mean you can’t recycle it. Until then you will see the following on-pack recycling labels to indicate what items are collected by the local authorities for recycling. In attempt to simplify the recycling process at home, the UK announced in January 2020 it will adopt new labelling rules using words like ‘Recycle’ or ‘Don’t Recycle’ on products. However, in the meantime, there is more we can be doing as consumers to avoid adding to the pile of rubbish and problems. Governments and industries are trying to get to grips with the colossal waste management issues we face by developing circular economies to eliminate waste and designing more environmentally friendly packaging. The natural environment includes our waterways, and scientists have quoted approximately 8 million metrics of plastic enter the oceans each year. On a worldwide scale, as of 2015, approximately 6300 metric tonnes of plastic waste had been generated, with about 9% being recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% accumulating in landfills or the natural environment. Unfortunately, the plastic problem spans EU countries as well with most countries recycling between 20-40% of their plastics. In terms of materials, in the US paper and paperboard boast higher rates with 66% recycled along with 27% of glass and a mere 8% of plastic. The biggest recycler in the EU was Germany at 56%. In the same year, the UK produced 26.8 million tonnes with a recycling rate of 45%. It’s fair to say that the world’s largest economies should be doing their bit when it comes to recycling, although in 2017 the US generated a staggering 267.8 million tonnes of municipal solids waste and reported recycling only 35% of it.