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Current UK recycling saves 10-15 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse
gases a year
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This is equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road
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By recycling, everyone can make a difference on climate change
UK recycling currently saves between 10-15 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent
greenhouse gases per year compared to other waste management options, equivalent
to about 10% of the greenhouse gases emitted by UK households, according to
WRAP (the Waste &
Resources Action Programme).
“What is so striking about these figures is that they demonstrate, for
the first time, the positive contribution that recycling can make to tackling
climate change – equivalent to taking a staggering 3.5 million cars off
the road,” says Jennie Price, WRAP’s Chief Executive.
The greenhouse gas savings are based on current levels of UK recycling for
glass, paper and cardboard, plastics, aluminium and steel, and have been calculated
using data from a major international review study published today by WRAP.
Entitled Environmental Benefits of Recycling: an international review of life
cycle comparisons for key materials in the UK recycling sector, the study also
demonstrates that recycling our waste is better for the environment than burning
or burying it. This is in line with current Government policy, which puts waste
reduction and recycling at the heart of its strategy for diverting rubbish away
from landfill.
The most comprehensive assessment ever undertaken, the study has reviewed and
analysed the best Life Cycle Analysis studies from around the world which have
evaluated the environmental impacts of recycling compared to incineration or
landfilling for seven of the most commonly recycled materials.
“More and more people are becoming aware of just how serious an issue
climate change is, and are looking for ways to make a positive contribution
to tackling it,” says Jennie Price. “Recycling will obviously not
cure the problem on its own, but this research shows it is a simple, everyday
way in which everyone can make a difference.”
Posted 9th May 2006
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