Trash Flash
The volume of waste produced in the UK in one hour would fill the Albert Hall.
In one year there would be enough waste to fill dustbins stretching from the Earth to the Moon.
Every year 13 billion steel cans (food tins, drinks cans) are produced. About a quarter of the steel used has been recycled.
All the aluminium cans sold in the UK would fill 12 million dustbins each year.
Recycling aluminium can save up to 95% of the energy needed to make it from raw materials.
Over 60% of the total plastic waste in Western Europe is packaging, which is typically disposed of within one year of sale. Reclaimed waste paper represents around 63% of the fibre used to produce paper and board in the UK.
There are 22,000 bottle bank sites in the UK.
About 9% of the contents of the average household dustbin is glass, yet glass accounts for 70% by weight of the packaging recyclced from the total household waste stream.
Compared to 50 years ago:
- Food cans are 50% lighter
- Yoghurt pots are 60% lighter
- Glass milk bottles are 50% lighter
- Plastic carrier bags are 50% lighter
Click here for Talking Rubbish.
