The UK has made great strides in improving recycling rates and circulating secondary raw materials back into the economy. The UK’s recycling rate for municipal waste was 36.7% in 2009/2010, with commercial/industrial recycling estimated to be in the region of 40%.Taking recycling to the next level requires a concerted and collaborative effort from Government, the public and the industry. The industry has invested in a range of technologies and processing systems designed to separate materials of value, but the UK still needs significant investment in new plant and equipment if it is to meet challenging landfill diversion targets.
Government’s role is critical in influencing consumer behaviour, setting standards for commerce and industry, protecting existing infrastructure investment and stimulating large-scale sector growth, without allowing the environmental integrity of recycling and recovery operations to be compromised.
