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Reduce, reuse, recycle

Government policy is risking our health and the environment instead of helping solve the waste crisis.

Why throw it in the bin?

Most stuff that ends up in incinerators and landfill can be used again.

Recycle proportions wheely bin illustration

Click on the items in the bin to see how our
rubbish could be managed better.

It's disgraceful that in the UK we only recycle around a quarter of our rubbish. Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany recycle around 60% of their household waste and Flanders in Belgium manages over 70% so why can't we?

Did you know?

Nine out of ten people in England and Wales would recycle more if it was made easier.

The Environment Agency


Friends of the Earth believes at least 80% of our waste could be recycled or composted. To make this a reality, the Government should:

  • Stop building incinerators
    - and put resources into less damaging ways of dealing with the waste crisis.
  • Make recycling easier
    - by providing everyone with a good recycling collection service from their homes.
  • Make manufacturers responsible
    -
    for the whole life cycle of their products so things are recycleable and made to last.

But what should we do with the rest of our rubbish?

  • Any recyclable waste should be removed.
  • Compost or anaerobically digest the rest.
  • Dispose of the remains via landfill.

It is time to reduce our impact on the climate, create new jobs in recycling and live within the limits of the earth's resources.

Help stop the planet going to waste.

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Last modified: May 2008