Archived press release

Recycle 80 per cent of waste by 2010 challenges foe

6 March 1997

Local Authority recycling rates are published today [1], showing that the UK is a long way from hitting the Government's target of recycling 25 per cent of household waste by the year 2000. Friends of the Earth has today sent new research to all local authorities -showing that there are viable and job-creating alternatives to throwing valuable resources into holes in the ground or burning them in polluting incinerators [2] - and has challenged them to adopt a target of recycling 80% of household waste by 2010 [3].

Friends of the Earth's research [4] also shows that incinerators waste resources, waste energy, cause toxic pollution, and will undermine more progressive initiatives for the next quarter century.

Dr Anna Thomas, Waste Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"We need to conserve resources not waste them. People want to recycle but can't unless they're given the facilities to do so. Local authorities should be racing to set up comprehensive recycling schemes and the Government should ensure they have the money to do so. All the evidence suggests that these job creating recycling schemes cost no more than a packet of crisps per household each week.[5]"

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Local Authority Performance Indicators 1995/96, Audit Commission

[2] Don't Burn it or Bury It - Alternatives to Landfill and Incineration, Friends of the Earth, 1997. Copies available

[3] Research by Friends of the Earth due to be published September, will show that for a fair and sustainable future the rate of resource use needs to be cut in the order of 80%.

The London Borough of Sutton has set a target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2001, and 80% of it by 2006. Given that their recycling infrastructure is more advanced than in many areas, Friends of the Earth is calling for other authorities to set a target of recycling 80% of household waste by 2010.

[4] Up in Smoke - Why Friends of the Earth Opposes Incineration of Waste, Friends of the Earth, 1997. Copies available.

[5] One of the most comprehensive kerbside collection schemes in the country, in Bath. costs £57 per tonne of waste recycled, or £6.78 per household per year.

In addition, landfill prices are expected to rise by between 37 and 135 per cent due to tighter development controls and more stringent licensing requirements (DoE,Landfill costs and prices: correcting possible market distortions, A study by Coopers& Lybrand, 1993, HMSO). Incineration prices are expected to rise due to tighter emission standards likely to be agreed at a European level, the potential removal of the Government's subsidy on incinerators producing energy and the increased costs of landfilling incineration ash.

League Tables of Recycling Rates, Overall and by Region

Top Ten
Weymouth and Portland 21.9% South West
Adur 21.4% South East
Castle Morpeth 21.2% North
North Devon 20.2% South West
Croydon 20% London
East Devon 19.5% South West
Sutton 17.6% London
Bath 17% South West
Exeter 17% South West
Torridge 17% South West

Bottom Ten
Knowsley 1.2% Merseyside
Ashfield 1.1% Midlands
Boothferry 1% North
Easington 1% North
Teesdale 1% North
Alnwick 0.6% North
Glyndwr 0% Wales
Rhondda 0% Wales
Ribble Valley 0% North
Wear Valley 0% North

Metropolitan Authorities

Greater Manchester Merseyside
Top - Stockport, 6.0% Top - Sefton, 3%
Bottom - Wigan, 1.8% Bottom - Knowsley, 1.2%

South Yorkshire Tyne & Wear
Top - Sheffield, 2.8% Top - Newcastle upon Tyne, 6%
Bottm - Barnsley, 1.4% Bottom - Sunderland, 1.7%

West Midlands West Yorkshire
Top - Coventry, 9.9% Top - Leeds, 5.2%
Bottom - Sandwell, 1.7% Bottom - Bradford, 1.4%

North
Castle Morpeth 21.2% Midlands
Wear Valley 0.0% Northampton 15.4%
Ribble Valley 0.0% Ashfield 1.1%

Central South East
Milton Keynes 15.1% Adur 21.4%
Great Yarmouth 1.8% Thurrock 2.2%

South West Wales
Wey & Portland 21.9% Monmouth 9.1%
Penwith 2.3% Glyndwr 0.0%
Rhondda 0.0%
London
Croydon 20.0%
City of London 1.8%
Newham 1.8%

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust