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New figures show regions failing on recycling
22 April 2002
Other European countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands recycle around 50%.
Friends of the Earth wants MPs to introduce a new bill that would put a legal duty on every localauthority to provide a doorstep collection of recyclable materials (glass, paper, cans) andcompostable waste by 2010. Over 200 MPs have already signed a parliamentary petition backingsuch a law, and the Conservative and Liberal Democrats promised nationwide doorstep recyclingservices in their General Election manifestos last year. The Prime Minister has also expressedsupport for an increase in doorstep schemes, saying: "I want to see every local authority offeringdoorstep recycling" [1].
Karine Pellaumail, Waste Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"These latest figures highlight once again just how pathetic the UK is at recycling. Unless local authorities are required to provide every household with doorstep recycling, we will continue to languish near the bottom of the European recycling league. Landfill sites are filling up and incineration is deeply unpopular. It's about time the Government took this issue seriously."
Notes
[1] Speaking at a Green Alliance and the Confederation for British Industry in October
RECYCLING RATES FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
| Country | Municipal Waste Recycling rate | Municipal Waste Target Recycling rate | Source |
| Switzerland | 52% (98) |
| Swiss Environment Agency |
| Netherlands | 46% (98) | 60%by 2000 | Dutch Environment Ministry |
| Austria | 49.7% (00) |
| Austrian Environment Agency |
| Germany | 48% (96) |
| Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin |
| Norway | 40% (00) |
| Statistics Norway |
| Sweden | 34% (97) |
| Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin |
| USA | 31.5% (98) | 35% by 2005 | Biocycle annual nationwide survey |
| Finland | 30% (97) |
| ETSU for DTI |
| Canada | 29% (97) |
| ETSU for DTI |
| Denmark | 31% (96) | 40-50%by 2000 | Danish Environmental Protection Agency |
| France | 12% (93) |
| Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin |
| Spain | 20% (97) |
| Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin |
| Italy | 13% (97) |
| Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin |
| England | 12% (00/01) | 30% by 2010 | DEFRA |
| Scotland | 6.9% (00/01) |
| Scottish Accounts Commission |
| Northern Ireland | 5% (98/99) | 25% by 2010 | NI Waste Management Strategy |
| Wales | 4.7% (98/99) |
| National Assembly for Wales |
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
