Have you every thought about how much rubbish you and your family throw away each week? Here is some information you should bear in mind.
- The UK produces more than 434 million tonnes of waste every year. This rate of rubbish generation would fill the Albert Hall in London in fewer than 2 hours.
- On average, each person in the UK throws away seven times his or her body weight (about 500 kg) on rubbish each year.
- On average, every family in the UK uses around 330 glass bottles and jars a year.
- Recycling two bottles saves enough energy to boil water for five cups of tea.
- Every year, an estimated 17.5 billion plastic bags are given away by supermarkets.
- In 2001, UK households produce the equivalent weight of 245 jumbo jets per week in packaging waste.
Recycling made simple
Recycling at home is easy, just follow these tips.
1. Recycle on your doorstep – most councils have a kerbside collection scheme; so if you haven’t already got a recycling box, check with your council.
2. Find out what you can recycle – different councils collect different materials, although most will take cans, glass and paper.
3. Sort your rubbish – find a handy place to store your recycling box and encourage everyone in your house to sort their rubbish before they throw it away.
4. Put your recycling out – Check when your recycling day is, and make sure you put it out the night before. Remember some councils only collect recycling once a fortnight.
Local recycling information
For more information on your local recycling scheme, contact your council on the details below.
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Tel: 01204 33 66 3
Website: www.bolton.gov.uk
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Tel: 0161 253 7010
Website:
www.bury.gov.uk