Millions tonnes


Recycling rate


5 golden tips for a more sustainable lifestyle


Prevent waste, buy consciously and just what is needed Improve portion size choices, avoid over-packaging, buy in bulk or loose (e.g. food, toiletries), use reusable food containers and cutlery when purchasing takeaway food, carry a reusable bag and cup, switch to a refillable bottle, reduce single-use packaging. Search for retailers delivering loose or offering a take-back scheme (plastic bags or other packaging). Donate unwanted items to charities or second-hand shops.


London councils will take, plastic bags, aluminium foil and aerosol cans. Even if consumers and businesses are


attempting to ‘do the right thing’ by ditch- ing single-use plastics and stepping up their recycling efforts, they are confused on what can be recycled or what actions can reduce the burden on the environment. Truth is that every natural resource has


pros and cons associated with its use and it is hard to understand the impacts of the decisions we take. Let’s start by dispelling some myths on waste management and see how changes that are environmentally con- scious can save money, reduce our environ- mental footprint and preserve natural resources.


Myths on waste management Recycling is a waste of time


1 as it all ends up in landfill


Not true.Recycling protects the environment and makes a real difference. Te latest stats released from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows that in 2018/19, local authority waste sent to landfill was around 11%; nearly 45% was sent for recycling or composting while 43.8% was incinerated.


2 Recycling uses more energy than it saves


Also, not true. Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process uses consider- ably less energy than that required for pro- ducing new products from raw materials (even when comparing all associated costs, e.g. transport and handling). Up to 95% less energy is needed to make products using recycled materials. Recycling a drink can could save enough energy to power a standard TV for 4 hours.


22 FOCUS The Magazine March/April 2020 3 It doesn’t matter if I put the


wrong things in my recycling as it all gets sorted out anyway This is not true. Recycling contamina- tion is a term used to describe both ma- terial that is recyclable, but not actually accepted by a specific council, and non- recyclable items (e.g. bubble wrap) that are placed in the recycling bin. According to the Resource Association, recycling contamination is estimated to cost to local authorities £51 million per year.


4 Rinsing out recyclables is a


waste of water and energy Again, not true as flattening packaging ensures that more will fit in the collec- tion vehicle, rinsing will prevent cross- contamination from dirty materials (e.g. leftover food) reducing the risk of recy- clables being rejected.


5 Recycling food waste is pointless; it


breaks down naturally anyway Not true. London’s households throw away an estimated 900,000 tonnes of food each year, equivalent to the weight of 75,000 double decker buses, and it is estimated to cost more than £50 million a year to London councils. When in landfill, food waste produces methane, which has 29 times the global warming effect than CO2.


6 Recycling costs too much money


Not the case. Recycling not only mat- ters but also cuts disposal costs for coun- cil taxpayers. Sending one tonne of waste to landfill is the most expensive option (about £110) followed by incin- eration (£95) while recycling is to pay around £30. Yet, dealing with materials being rejected from a recycling facility costs at least £130 per tonne.


Reduce recycling contamination Prevent contamination at the source (at home, on-the-go or in office) since dealing with contamination at the facility is quite expensive. Plastic bags, Pyrex, dirty pizza boxes are frequent contaminants. Check the council website or, if not possible, leave it out.


Check the recycling labels and your local recycling policies “I follow guidance on the packaging, so I presume everything I put in recycling is correct”. According to WRAP’s Recycling Tracking Survey 2017, another key factor for contamination relates to presuming that on-pack label/guidance applies to their local collection. This label means that the packaging can be recycled but is collected by less than 20% of local authorities across the UK. Check your council website to see if you can recycle it.


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Mind your carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption The list could be quite long. Just a few hints: borrow, share, buy second-hand, spend one minute less in the shower, buy compact light bulbs, switch off stand-by on computers and TVs, turn off lights, change diet, buy seasonal food, use public transportation…


Embrace the Circular Economy! Prevent waste in the first place Reduce Prepare for reuse Repair, return refurbish Recycle


And remember… The goal is progress, not perfection. Every action, big or small, makes a difference!


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