UK recycling needs 'radical' changes
October 21, 2004
Environmental group Friends of the Earth has warned the Government that "radical policy changes" are needed to improve the UK's recycling and waste management record, in the week that the "Big Recycle" campaign is launched. Just two local authorities currently recycle over 40% of waste, and the country as a whole recycles around 13% of its total waste. This is in stark contrast to countries such as the Netherlands, Austria and Germany, who recycle more than 50%.
FoE is calling for a range of strict measures to be introduced, including higher long term recycling targets; a tax on waste materials that are not recycled and a national waste reduction target.
"The Government must show its commitment to expanding the amount of waste we recycle by increasing its funding to ensure that every household has access to comprehensive doorstep recycling services," commented Friends of the Earth's Georgina Bloomfield. "Wider economic measures must also be put in place so that we can reach the standards set by our European neighbours who are already recycling over half of their domestic waste."
This story was first carried on the Green Consumer Guide website.
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