Waste, packaging and recycling
Automated recycling unit, Royston, UK
Introduction
The amount of waste produced in Britain has risen over the past two decades1. Packaging is a growing contributor, now creating around one-fifth2 of household waste.
The growth in single person households3 has increased consumer demand for processed and pre-packaged foods that can be prepared quickly. But, although customers still want simple meal solutions, they are increasingly concerned about excessive packaging and want supermarkets and manufacturers to do more to tackle it. Consumers also want to take positive action on recycling and reducing the number of carrier bags they take – provided they are given help to do so.
Over the past year, Government, NGOs and the media have become increasingly active on waste and recycling – with campaigns against excessive packaging in the UK by the Womens’ Institute, national newspapers, and Government agencies. The EU is also increasingly active in this area, introducing new legislation on consumer electronics, and revising existing directives.
£15m
invested in automated recycling machines for customers during 2006/07
Source:
- DEFRA Waste and Recycling Statistics
- The Open University Household Waste Study, July 2006
- The Office of National Statistics, Census data