We're a load of rubbish

BRITAIN'S recycling record is one of the worst in the Western world according to an alarming new report.

Consumer watchdogs have warned that the UK must take drastic action to meet its own targets for recycling waste and cutting landfill.

The report by Which? magazine reveals that England currently recycles only 11 per cent of its household rubbish and the figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are even worse.

The Waste Strategy, published in 2000, set targets of 25 per cent of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2005.

And under the European Union Landfill Directive the UK also has to significantly reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill or face fines of up pounds 500,000 per day.

Currently about 80 per cent of rubbish goes straight to landfill, even though three-quarters of it is capable of being recycled.

The report says that some countries such as the U.S. and Germany have taken radical steps to reduce waste.

These have included charging people according to the amount of rubbish they produce, but there would need to be a change in the law for it to happen in the UK. Doorstep recycling bins have proved to be an effective way of improving recycling rates here, but not all councils offer the facility.

The Consumers' Association says that the Government, local councils and individuals need to work together to reduce the amount of rubbish produced and improve recycling rates.

Which? editor Helen Parker said: "The UK produces more than 30 million tons of household waste each year, three-quarters of which could be recycled.

"Switzerland, Austria and Germany recycle around half their waste and parts of the U.S. and Canada top 70 per cent, so why are we failing so badly?

"For the UK to make real progress in recycling, we all need to make a commitment to change and accept that reducing and recycling waste in a necessity."

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