Key Facts about: Waste and Recycling
Selected material recycled as a percentage of consumption, 1984-2003
United Kingdom
|
Recycling rate (per cent) |
||||||
|
1984 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
| Lead |
67 |
67 |
71 |
67 |
60 |
60 |
| Paper & Board |
28 |
32 |
37 |
38 |
38 |
38 |
| Glass |
6 |
15 |
22 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
| Ferrous |
46 |
38 |
40 |
34 |
29 |
33 |
| Aluminium packaging |
25 |
26 |
||||
| Plastics |
3 |
5 |
8 |
10 |
||
In the 1980s and 1990s a greater proportion of the lead, ferrous metals and paper and board consumed was recycled than other materials. The percentage of these materials recycled has remained at much the same level since 1984.
The recycling rate for glass containers has risen from 6 per cent in 1984 to 35 per cent in 2003. Around a quarter of aluminium packaging (including cans, containers, trays and foil) is recycled. The recycling of plastics is at a lower level but the recycling rate more than trebled between 1995 and 2003 to 10 per cent.
In Detail:
- Resource recovery and recycling
- Ferrous metal
- Aluminium
- Non-ferrous metals
- Paper and board
- Glass
- Plastic
- Packaging
Further Information:
- Source:
- World Bureau of Metal Statistics, British Paper & Board Industry Federation, Corus, Alupro, British Glass Federation, British Plastics Federation
- Key Facts:
- Total annual waste
- Sustainable Development Indicators:
- Framework Indicator: Waste
Data Tables:
Download Chart Data: Microsoft Excel
- Internet Links:
- Open University: Household waste study
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Page last modified: 29 October 2004
Page published: 29 October 2004