Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Plastics News
  • Plastics News China
SustainablePlasticsFINAL
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Recycling
    • Sustainability
    • Bioplastics
    • Technology & Materials
    • Vita Nova aims to ensure a new life for flexible packaging
      Tetra Pak introduces beverage cartons incorporating certifed recycled polymers
      Baerlocher: adding value with stabilisers to promote the circular economy
      Azek-Recycling-Bin-main_i.png
      Azek decking, Sika roofing boost recycled content
    • Natural household product supplier Aunt Fannie’s now certified plastic neutral
      Azek-Recycling-Bin-main_i.png
      Azek decking, Sika roofing boost recycled content
      Tomra plastic picture-main_i.jpg
      ‘Long, hard engagement' seen on global plastics treaty
      Plasticfri-main_i.png
      Big retailers looking to 'reinvent' plastic bag back nine alternatives
    • PHA: As green as it gets
      Braskem to invest $61 million to expand green ethylene production capacity
      On a healthy footing from the start - new shoe brand launches recovery slip-on made from eco-foam
      Pants in any colour, as long as they’re green
    • Injection Moulding
    • Blow Moulding
    • Extrusion
    • Thermoforming
    • 3D printing
    • Technology
    • Materials
    • Machinery
  • Opinion
    • View Point
    • PHA: As green as it gets
      Opinion: The future of sustainable plastic
      A year to remember
      Opinion: California introduces world’s toughest plastic bottle recycling legislature – will other markets follow?
  • Events
    • Our Exhibitions
    • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
    • Ask the Expert
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
    • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
  • Prices & Resources
    • Polymer Prices
    • Data Reports
    • White Papers
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Media Pack
  • Subscribe
  • Digital magazine
    • Digital Magazine
  • Multimedia
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
September 24, 2018 07:00 AM

Recycling rates targeted as UK 'recycling week' kicks off

Recycling rates targeted as UK 'recycling week' kicks off

Plastic News Europe
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    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 15th 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.

    WRAP

    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).

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Sustainable Plastics' news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe

    Subscriptions to Sustainable Plastics, the leading Pan-European magazine for the circular plastics industry are coming soon.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    "In a changing world, Sustainable Plastics is a constant: a platform the plastics industry can rely on to deliver the news and knowhow impacting the industry going forward”

    SustainablePlasticsFINAL
    Contact Us

    11 Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom 
     

    Customer Service:
    1-313-446-0450

    [email protected]

     

    Resources
    • Advertise
    • Sitemap
    • Careers
    • Subscribe
    Affiliates
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • LSR World
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Tire Business
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • Automotive News
    • Automotive News Europe
    • Crain Publications
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Recycling
      • Sustainability
      • Bioplastics
      • Technology & Materials
        • Injection Moulding
        • Blow Moulding
        • Extrusion
        • Thermoforming
        • 3D printing
        • Technology
        • Materials
        • Machinery
    • Opinion
      • View Point
    • Events
      • Our Exhibitions
        • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
      • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
      • Ask the Expert
      • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
      • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Prices & Resources
      • Polymer Prices
      • Data Reports
      • White Papers
    • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Media Pack
    • Subscribe
    • Digital magazine
      • Digital Magazine
    • Multimedia