Archived press release

Government still failing on recycling, new statistics show

22 May 2003

The Government is failing to significantly improve the UK's appalling recycling record, new figures reveal today [1]. The 2001/2002 Municipal Waste Management Survey coincides with the publication of a report from a committee of MPs [2] on the future of waste management which describes the Government as "too timid" and says that "despite warm words from Defra ministers, the Department does not seem to have a real sense of where it wants to go".

New Government statistics show that household recycling rose by around 1 per cent - from 11.2 per cent to 12.4 per cent - leaving the UK languishing near the bottom of Europe's recycling league table [3]. At the current rate of progress environment minister Michael Meacher will be celebrating his hundredth birthday by the time the UK recycles half its waste [4].

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to take urgent action to dramatically improve the UK's performance by supporting a private members Bill, introduced by Joan Ruddock MP and currently going through Parliament, which, if passed, would lead to comprehensive doorstep recycling across the country [5]

The Government has also released regional household recycling rates (2000/01 in brackets): per cent

• North East 5.1 (4.4) North West 8.9 (7.5) Yorks/Humb 8.8 (7.5)
• E Midlands 13.7 (13.1) W Midlands 10.1 (9.1) East 17.3 (15.2)
• London 9.2 (8.8) South East 17.7 (16.4) South West 16.3 (15)

Earlier this month the Government gave its response to a review of waste strategy by the Number 10 Strategy Unit. Although the Government appeared to acknowledge the scale of the problem it refused to increase its recycling target (from 30 per cent by 2010) to match Europe's best recyclers, or promise comprehensive doorstep recycling for households [6] - both of which were recommended by the Strategy Unit.

Joan Ruddock's Municipal Waste Recycling Bill has been supported by the majority of MPs. It passed its Second Reading in March and will now be discussed by a committee of MPs on 4 June.

Friends of the Earth's Waste Campaigner Claire Wilton said

"The Government is failing to tackle the UK's appalling waste problem. This country's recycling record was already one of the worst in Europe. At the current rate of improvement, one per cent a year, it is set to stay there for many years to come."

"When will the Government take this issue seriously? It could show that it really means business by supporting Joan Ruddock's recycling bill, currently before Parliament, which would lead to comprehensive doorstep recycling across the country."

Notes

1. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/index.htm

2. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on the future of waste management is published at 11am today (Thursday).

3. EU recycling league table (Source: Environmental Signals 2002 - European Environment Agency, except where shown).

64% Austria (recycling 24 %/ compost 40 %)
52 % Belgium (37 %/15 %)
48% Germany *
47 % Netherlands (24%/23%)
39 % Denmark (25%/14%)
33 % Finland (30%3%)
33 % Sweden (25%/8%)
27 % Spain (16%/11%)
16 % Italy (7%/9%)
14 % France (8%/6%)
11 % UK (9%/2%) (2000/1)
9 % Portugal (4%/5%)
8 % Greece (8%/0%)

* 1996 (source: Resource Recovery Forum Warmer Bulletin). Figures for Ireland and Luxemburg not available.

4. In 1997/98, Labour's first full year in power England recycled 8.2 per cent of its domestic waste. Michael Meacher was born was born in 1939

5. www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/waste/news/bill_second_reading.html

6. www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/friends_of_the_earth_rubbi.html

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