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Reports in the media suggesting that recycling adds to global
warming, rather than tackling it, are misleading and factually
incorrect, according to a statement from WRAP (Waste & Resources
Action Programme).
Dr Liz Goodwin, CEO, WRAP said - “Today’s reports threaten
the environmental benefits currently being delivered by the
public through the UK’s recycling schemes. WRAP’s independent
research, carried out by internationally recognised experts,
has shown that, across the board, recycling is the best environmental
option. It is when recycling is not an option that recovery
of energy-from-waste can contribute to a balanced energy policy.
“Recycling is good for the environment, saves energy, reduces
raw material extraction and helps combats climate change”
- Dr Goodwin added.
The Waste for England 2007 strategy, supported by WRAP, outlines
that waste to landfill should be reduced to 25% by increasing
recycling to 50% and energy-from-waste facilities to 25% by
2020.
WRAP research shows that -
- The 8.6 million tonnes of paper the UK recycled here and
abroad last year has saved the equivalent of 11 million
tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent
to taking 3.6 million cars off the road.
- Selling the UK’s used plastic bottles and paper for recycling
in China, actually saves carbon emissions. Shipping these
materials more than 10,000 miles produces less CO2
than sending them to landfill at home and using brand new
materials. (2008 CO2 Impact of
Export Report).
- More energy is saved by recycling plastics than is gained
by burning them. Recycling saves 2 tonnes of CO2
equivalent emissions per tonne of plastic, in comparison
to incineration. (2008 Life Cycle Analysis of Management
Options for Mixed Waste Plastics).
- In 83% of circumstances, recycling paper, card, glass,
plastics and metals was preferable to any other waste management
option. Recycling these items is currently estimated to
save over 18 million tonnes of CO2
equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. (2006 Environmental
Benefits of Recycling, and Waste for England 2007).
"Around two-thirds of households now recycle as a way of life.
The message to householders is that recycling is delivering
great environmental benefits and there is absolutely no reason
for them to stop” - added Dr Goodwin. |
