The European Commission recently released a report which analyzed packaging use and recycling in the United Kingdom. The report confirmed that although the amount of packaging used by Brits has remained steady, recycling has more than doubled over the last ten years. These numbers garnered rave reviews from recycling organizations around the United Kingdom, who say that these figures show the United Kingdom’s dedication to recycling. This is good news for the United Kingdom, as it has recently been under fire for its perceived failure to reach many of the recycling directives outlined by the European Union.
In the years between 1998 and 2007, the use of packaging in the United Kingdom has only increased by about four percent even though the population has increased by about that same amount. In 2007 people in the United Kingdom were responsible for using about one hundred and seventy six kilograms of packaging per person, which is only about a kilogram more than they used in 1998. Even though packaging has stayed about the same, recycling numbers have more than doubled in that same period.
These figures got rave reviews from industry insiders who say local authorities, businesses, and manufacturers have all done their part to promote recycling in the United Kingdom. A spokesman for the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment said the numbers were impressive and above average for the European Union.
The Council said that individual households should also be thanked as a large part of the recycling comes as a result of people getting on board with local schemes.
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