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Waste and recycling
Overview
Taking action on waste is essential. We consume natural resources at an unsustainable rate and contribute unnecessarily to climate change. Each year we generate about 100 million tonnes of waste from households, commerce and industry.
Most of this ends up in landfill, where biodegradable waste generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. And much valuable energy is used up in making new products which are later disposed of, also contributing to climate change.
Remember. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
The government's Act on CO2 campaign is encouraging householders to rethink what we put in our bins and help to cut the amount that goes to landfill.
Could you reduce waste by menu-planning, finding a new home for things you no longer want, or recycling leftover paint, engine oil or batteries?
Find out more about reusing and recycling in your local area on the Act on CO2 website, and listen to our radio ads – made from recycled clips of course!
Latest news
5 November 2009
29 October 2009
- News release: Essex Waste Partnership £100 million boost to reduce landfill
- Local authority funding: PFI projects
23 October 2009 - Final report on Household Waste Prevention Evidence Review - WR1204
15 October 2009
- Consultation on draft environmental permitting guidance – exempt waste operations
- Environment Secretary Hilary Benn spent an hour answering questions on topics such as recycling, alternatives to landfill and reducing waste. Read the transcript of the webchat.
13 October 2009
- Commercial and Industrial Waste in England - New statement of aims and actions
- Government publishes the Waste Strategy Annual Progress Report 2008/09
- Zero Waste Places initiative launched. Visit the BREW Centre website for more information
- Household Waste Prevention Evidence Review: Defra have commissioned a review to consolidate the policy-relevant evidence base applying to household waste prevention. Read the Executive Report (PDF, 900KB)
Further information
For further information on various issues surrounding waste, see the following sections:
- What happens to waste - What is waste?; Reduce; Re-use; Recycle/Recover; Disposal
- Types of waste
- Information for local authorities
- Producer Responsibility
- Anaerobic digestion
- Waste Implementation Programme
- Licensing & Enforcement
- Statistics & Research
- Community sector
- Contacts & Advisory Committees
Page last modified: 10 November 2009
Page published: 5 February 2003
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