Recycling rates targeted as UK 'recycling week' kicks off

The UK is marking its annual recycling week this week as a recent survey highlights “room for improvement” in recycling habits across the country.

Recycle Now, a recycling campaign managed by WRAP (waste & resources action programme), is holding its 15^th annual recycling week during 24-30 Sept, with the theme “recycling. We do.”

The campaign aims to capitalise on the growing public concern about plastic waste, which has reached a climax since a BBC Blue Planet documentary highlighted the impact of plastics on the environment and wildlife last November.

“It's clear that today more and more citizens are recycling, with recycling rates going from just 10% in 2000 to over 45% today, but there is still more to do,” said a WRAP statement 20 Sept, ahead of the annual event.

At the same time WRAP released the results of its latest recycling survey, saying over half of UK households dispose of one or more items in the residual bin that is actually collected for recycling in their area.

The survey also found that over three-quarters (76%) of UK households admit to adding one or more items to their recycling collection where the local councils do not support recycling for such items.

According to the survey, younger householders – aged 18 to 34 – have the the highest levels of missed capture at 67% compared to 47% for those aged 55+. Younger households also have the highest levels of contamination at 85% versus the average 69%.

Missed capture refers to items put in the general rubbish that are accepted for recycling locally and contamination refers to items put in the recycling when they are not accepted.

In terms of regions, Wales has the lowest level of missed capture at 50%, compared to 54% in England and 62% in Northern Ireland. Wales, however, has a higher level of contamination at 83% compared to 76% in England.

The most common items not captured for recycling are foil, aerosols and clear trays. For contamination, common items include plastic bags and wrapping, toothpaste tubes, dirty pizza boxes, drinking glasses/Pyrex, Tetra Pak, bubble wrap and plastic carrier bags. 

The survey was carried out online by Icaro, between the 25 Jan – 8 Feb. A total of 3,271 interviews were undertaken – in England (2,119), Wales (652), Scotland (200) and Northern Ireland (300).