Recent research conducted by UK Skip Hire Central London experts Enviro Skip Hire suggests that more than half of the UK’s population misses opportunities to recycle from their homes.
In a 2020 European research study, it was revealed that the UK ranked third in terms of waste production, generating a staggering 282.4 tonnes of waste annually. Germany took the top spot, producing over 400 tonnes of waste, closely followed by France, which generated 310.4 tonnes of waste.
So, what does the data for 2023 indicate?
- Surprisingly, Northern Ireland was the only region in the UK where the recycling rate did not increase.
- The UK’s disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills increased by 0.7 million tonnes in 2020.
Enviro Skip Hire’s Managing Director, James Rubin, commented on the data, stating, “New data also shows that recycling is in fact becoming a normalised behaviour across the UK. With over 85% of the population consciously recycling, it’s clear to see that the trend is moving in the right direction. The more the population recycles, the less the population will require landfill and other costly waste disposal methods. Clothing and electricals are just some examples of what recycling plastic alone can be turned into.”
What lies ahead for recycling in the UK? It is likely that governments, councils, and organisations will seek more innovative approaches to managing waste. The UK may even follow the example of the USA by setting a goal to increase the national recycling rate by 50% by 2023.
